Jossart N'Yoka Longo

Joseph Roger N'Yoka M'Vula (7 September 1953), known professionnally as Jossart N'Yoka Longo, is a Congolese singer, songwriter, producer and bandleader, best known as leader of Zaïko Langa Langa. Affectionately dubbed "Vieux Bombas", he was immersed in Kinshasa's dynamic music scene from an early age. He began his artistic journey with the local band Bel Guide National, based in Dendale. In December 1969, he became the third member of Zaïko Langa Langa, alongside Papa Wemba and Félix Manuaku Waku, one of the most influential and innovative musical forces in Africa, redefining the contours of Congolese rumba.

Distinguished by his nasal vocal timbre, dance moves, and songwriting, N'Yoka Longo quickly emerged as one of Zaïko Langa Langa's main attractions. By the early 1980s, he had taken the helm of the group, leading it through decades of musical evolution and international success. Some of his most popular compositions include "Sentiment Awa", "Dede Sur Mesure", "SVP Mbey", and "Paiement Cash". Though he never pursued a full solo career, he participated in collaborative ventures such as the album Bilombe Bakutani, recorded with Papa Wemba and Bimi Ombale. A key innovation credited to N'Yoka Longo is the introduction of atalaku into Congolese rumba, vocalists responsible for actively engaging the audience, building excitement, and augmenting the performance with spirited vocalizations and rhythmic chants.

Under his leadership, Zaïko Langa Langa toured extensively, gracing prestigious stages across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Notable performances include appearances at the Paris Zenith, Elysée Montmartre, Bataclan, Cirque d'Hiver, and La Madeleine.

In recognition of his lifelong contribution to Congolese music and culture, N'Yoka Longo was decorated in December 2015 as a Knight in the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba. Since September 2021, he has served as the director of SOCODA (Société Congolaise de Droits d'Auteur et Droits Voisins). With a career spanning over half a century, Jossart N'Yoka Longo remains a towering figure in African music and a living symbol of Congolese cultural excellence. In 2024, he was awarded the prestigious Rumba Prize, honoring his impact on the genre over more than five decades.