Madilu System
Jean de Dieu Bialu Makiese (28 May 1950 – 11 August 2007), known professionally as Madilu System, was a Congolese singer-songwriter, composer, and bandleader. During a career spanning nearly four decades, he was one of the leading vocalists in Congolese rumba.
Madilu began performing in 1969 and his early groups included Orchestre Symba, Papa Noël Nedule's Orchestre Bamboula, Fiesta Populaire, and Orchestre Bella Bella. He later co-founded Orchestre Bakuba Mayopi, where the hit "Pamba-Pamba" brought him early recognition, before forming Orchestre Pamba-Pamba and briefly performing with Tabu Ley Rochereau's Afrisa International. His breakthrough came in 1980 when he joined TPOK Jazz, led by Franco Luambo. Initially recruited as a backup vocalist, he became one of the band's principal vocalists in 1983 after Franco spotlighted him during the recording of the controversial track "Non". He then provided lead vocals on hits such as the 1984 "Mamou (Tu Vois)" and the 1985 duet "Mario" with Franco.
Following Franco's death in 1989 and altercations in TPOK Jazz in December 1993, Madilu launched a solo career. Alternating between Europe and Kinshasa, he led his own band, Tout Puissant Multi-Système, and released a series of albums, including Sans Commentaire (1993), Album '95 (1995), L'eau (1998), Pouvoir (1999), Bonheur (2001), and La Bonne Humeur (2007). He also collaborated with artists, including Nyboma, Zaïko Langa Langa, Rigo Star, Josky Kiambukuta, and the Afro-salsa group Africando. He died on 11 August 2007 in Kinshasa at age 57.
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