Kenyan Celebs Join the Rest of the World in Mourning Renowned Rhumba Maestro

Renowned Congolese Rhumba virtuoso, Tabu Ley Rochereau, is dead. The 73 year old passed on this afternoon at a Belgium hospital where he had been undergoing treatment for a stroke he suffered in 2008. The Congolese musician inspired a generation of Lingala and Rhumba music which swept through the entire region in the 70s and 80s.

The late Tabu ley was the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International and one of Africa’s most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters. Along with guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered soukous; he internationalised his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American rumba.

Kenyan musicians and other celebs have been sending their commissaries upon learning of the death of this great son of Africa.

@WillisRaburu: R.I.P Tabu Ley

@ItsMainaKageni: R.I.P. Tabu Ley Rochereau – one of the very best musicians that Africa has produced

@AlaCgenge: R.I.P african music legend TABU LEY (The king of lingala – congo).

@kaydeelethal: R. I. P #Tabuley Era well served & lived.

@elvinaomalla: For rumba lovers Tabuley will be missed RIP

@Ben_Kitilli: Rest In Peace Pascal Rocherau aka Tabuley, a music icon..as a rhumba fan today i mourn..

@wgkantai: Oh no. Tabu Ley has died. The maestro of l’Orchestre Afrisa International. The lucky bugger who married Mbilia Bel.

@SautiSol: RIP Tabu Ley. The music world has lost a true musical icon.

@SwalehMdoe: Rip …Tabu Ley I love your music

@grapevineKBC: RIP Tabu Ley. May God rest your soul in peace. Thank you for the great music.

@GidiOgidi: Mokolo nako kufa! RIP Seigneur Tabu Ley Rochereau

Here’s one of his timeless hits, ‘Muzina’;

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Ghafla! mourns this true musical legend.