About Lita Bembo
Gabriel Lita Bembo, aka Nkolo Kwanga, Sheriff, Gélé, Maquis, Fantomas, Libek, Showman, etc., is a Congolese composer, singer, and dancer. The self-proclaimed “acteur musicien”, meaning actor-musician, was full of musical creativity and energy. Lita was also the key figure of the Orchestre Stukas. Stukas reigned around Zaire’s best bands for about a decade and a half.
Lita was born on August 8, 1950, from Charles Lita Yi Beti and Hélène Mokono and grew up in Kinshasa. As he declared in a recent interview, he grew up in a mid-class family. From his early days, Lita was interested in music and mimicked renowned singers. He eventually integrated a couple of small neighbor bands.
In 1969, Lita came around and joined the Stukas Boys. The band was then composed of Lomingo Alida, Pierre Nkumu, and other members. Lita’s personality and talent progressively raised him to the lead role. With him setting the audience on fire and putting up shows, among many novelties, Stukas would gain enormous popularity. Lita came out with various dance moves, like “Ekonda saccadé”, one of his trademark. It was an achievement that Lita and Stukas competed with other very popular bands of the time like Zaïko Langa Langa, Bella Bella, OK Jazz, and Viva La Musica.
Rise and Fall
The crowning achievement of Lita and the Stukas was their participation the Zaire 74, a three-day festival prior to the famous “Rumble in the Jungle” that opposed Muhammad Ali to Georges Foreman. The Stukas Boys were one of few selected Congolese artists to play at the same festival with some of the most popular musicians of that time, including James Brown.
Nothing lasts forever though. Stukas success started decaying and the band suffered from defections, among other issues. Lita moved to Europe in mid or end-1980 to try a different musical career. He recorded some songs and albums that did not match the Stukas era’s success.
In 2016, He received a Congolese “médaille de mérite des arts et des lettres” decoration for his career achievement. He took advantage to try and launch his showman career once more. As of 2019 though, the success is not back yet. Hallas!
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