Mongala Akelembi (born 4 November 1985), professionally known as Robinio Mundibu, is a Congolese singer, songwriter and dancer. Akelembi began his career as a protégé of Do Akongo and later worked with Tutu Caludji, an ex-singer of Wenge Musica BCBG. In 2009, he joined Wenge Musica Maison Mère before branching out as a solo artist in 2014 with his debut singles "Vantard" and "Mbonzimbonzi".[1][2][3][4][5] In the following year, he debuted four singles "Ye Yo Ok", "Etirette", "Zuwa", and "Compliqué".[2][1][3]
Robinio Mundibu | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Mongala Akelembi |
| Also known as | El Généralissimo |
| Born | November 4, 1985 Mbuji-Mayi, Kasaï-Oriental Province, Zaire (modern-day Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| Origin |  Congolese |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocal |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Formerly of | Wenge Musica Maison Mère |
In 2016, Akalembi signed a record deal with French labels EPM and Cantos Music and dropped his six-track Extended Play (EP) Chiffre 9, which achieved international recognition with hits "4 Lettres" and "Tsha Nanu Boye".[2][1] His single "Misu Na Misu", released on 6 June 2019, catapulted him to stardom in Africa with over 30 million views on YouTube.[6][7] On 26 May 2021, he released his EP Noir et Blanc.[8][9]
Early life and orchestra challenges
Mongala Akelembi was born on 4 November 1985, in Mbuji-Mayi, Kasaï-Oriental Province, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo).[2][1] In 2000, he obtained a state diploma in electrical engineering. Although he continued practicing the same job, he became interested in music after being bedazzled by Wenge Musica BCBG, Wenge Musica Maison Mère, and Quartier Latin International.[2][4][1]
In 2002, Akelembi encountered Do Akongo, a former member of Quartier Latin International, who was departing from the band to establish his own orchestra.[2] Speaking with Pan African Music in an interview, Akelembi recollected, "I went to his house while he was rehearsing with his artists, we talked..... And even though I had no basis, he still accepted me."[2] Subsequently, Akelembi immersed himself in learning Congolese rumba and garnered local popularity with his performances.[2] Following four years of refining his skills in Congolese rumba, he departed the orchestra in pursuit of a group offering better remuneration and more visibility to its artists.[2][1][10] He then attempted to join Wenge Musica Maison Mère and Quartier Latin International but failed the selection test.[2]
In 2006, Akelembi crossed paths with Tutu Caludji, a former member of Wenge Musica BCBG who was establishing his own ensemble after departing from the band.[2] During his audition, Akelembi showcased his singing and dancing abilities and was bestowed with the moniker "Robinio" for his performances, a nod to the exuberance of Brazilian football player Robinho.[2] He then commenced collaboration with Caludji on his album. However, Caludji's departure to Paris for a two-year album finalization left the ensemble bereft of leadership and pecuniary sustenance. Akelembi began his quest to join Wenge Musica Maison Mère.[2] He financed televised and radiated performances to attract attention as an unaffiliated artist seeking a group to join.[2] In 2009, he successfully joined Wenge Musica Maison Mère and made substantial contributions to the band's forthcoming album, Techno Malewa Sans Cesse, Vol. 1. Shortly thereafter, he adopted the stage name "Mundibu," eventually leading to the full name "Robinio Mundibu."[2]
Solo career
2014–June 2019: Standalone releases and Chiffre 9
In 2014, Mundibu departed from Wenge Musica Maison Mère and released his debut singles, "Vantard" and "Mbonzi Mbonzi", which incorporated Congolese rumba and ndombolo rhythm, respectively.[2][3][1] These singles gained significant popularity, accumulating a total of 60,000 plays.[2] Subsequently, Mundibu released four successful singles in 2015, including "Ye Yo Ok", which became a major hit in the DRC with 150,000 plays.[2][10]
In 2016, Mundibu signed a record contract with French labels EPM and Cantos Music and unveiled his six-track EP, titled Chiffre 9, named after his newly-formed group.[2] Chiffre 9 garnered international recognition with standout hits "4 Lettres" and "Tsha Nanu Boye".[3][2][10] "Tsha Nanu Boye" gained immense popularity in Kinshasa with over one million views on YouTube.[11] In May 2017, Mundibu performed the song at his father's funeral and stated that its lyrics had the power to "transform sadness into joy".[12] To promote Chiffre 9, Mundibu sold-out two consecutive concerts at Halle de la Gombe,[13][14] followed by a concert in Goma on 26 November 2017.[15][16] He concluded the year with a show at Pomba Branca in Angola, followed by a gig at Piscine Alvalade in Angola on 1 January 2018.[17] In August 2018, Mundibu was brought onto the stage by Fally Ipupa during his showcase in Brazzaville, where he performed a rendition of Chiffre 9.[18] To promote Chiffre 9 further, Mundibu embarked on his "Playing the Balloon Tour" with shows in Brazzaville, Gabon, and Ivory Coast.[19]
In April 2019, Mundibu joined Awilo Longomba on stage during his concert in Kampala.[20] On 2 June 2019, he performed at the B-One Music show in Kinshasa, attended by the Congolese Minister of National Economy, Vital Kamerhe, and his spouse, Hamida Chatur, were spotted dancing to his song "Tsha Nanu Boye".[21] He subsequently received a special visit from former Congolese First Lady, Olive Lembe di Sita.[21]
June 2019–July 2019: "Misu Na Misu", censorship and resurgence
On 6 June 2019, Mundibu debuted the ndombolo-infused single "Misu Na Misu". The song includes the saxophone sample from the song "Dumalana" by Botswanan singer Vee Mampeezy and Zimbabwean singer Dr. Tawanda, which was released in February 2019.[22] The music video features Mundibu and his group dancing bare-chested in a plot, fields, and even in the street amidst the crowd.[23] A week later, he announced on his Instagram that he had commenced working on the "Misu Na Misu" remix with Awilo Longomba.[24]
On 22 June, the DRC's National Censorship Commission barred "Misu Na Misu" from being broadcast on television and radio due to its sexually suggestive lyrics.[25][4][26][27] The lyrics, particularly "Oko mata nga lelo, Oko mata nga na mokongo" (translating to: "Today you are going to ride on me, today you are going to ride on my back"), were adjudicated obscene, construed as "nothing more and nothing less than a disguised call for sexual antics." Parenthetically, the phrase "Kotisa bimisa" (meaning "bring in and bring out") was perceived as a metaphor for "coitus."[25][26] Nevertheless, the song gained immense popularity in the DRC and across Africa, played in bars and discos, and viewed more than a million times on YouTube.[25][28][29]
In July 2019, Mundibu presented a live concert at Village Chez Ntemba in Kinshasa in July 2019, sharing the spotlight with Gaz Mawete, Ibrator, Anita Mwarabu, Pomba Leader, and Maman Kalunga.[30]
2020–present: Noir et Blanc
Mundibu began recording his debut studio album, Noir et Blanc, in 2017.[31] Noir et Blanc was scheduled for release in 2018 but was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic. He subsequently switched his focus to an EP and announced that the album's release would be postponed to later years.[32][8] On 30 June 2018, Mundibu released Noir et Blanc's promotional single, "Kita Mata".[33] On 20 December 2019, he issued "Bina Na Bina," which was a sequel to his earlier hit, "Misu Na Misu."[34][35][36] "Bina Na Bina" was popular in Africa, accumulating over one million views and gaining recognition in France and Belgium.[37] While working on Noir et Blanc, Mundibu served as the opening act for Fally Ipupa's concert at AccorHotels Arena (now Accor Arena).[38][39] On November 6, 2020, Mundibu premiered the single "Goûter", [40][41][42] which melds ndombolo and coupé-décalé. The accompanying music video features Freddy Mbolongo, a belly dancer in Africa, complemented by other dancers.[40] On 9 December 2020, Mundibu debuted "Tonight," a multilingual song fusing soukous urban rhythm and sung in English, French, and Lingala.[43][44]
Noir et Blanc was finally released on May 26, 2021, and included his previous songs.[8][9] In December 2021, he released "Kulumba" as a standalone single.[44]