Millions of Kenyans, Tanzanians and residents of DR Congo are mourning the demise of one of East Africa’s legendary musicians, King Kiki the warm-voiced singer who died in Dar-es-salaam on Friday, November 15, 2024.
The honey-voiced singer and talented composer had suffered serious attacks of stroke.
Officially known as Boniface Kikumbi Mwanza Mpango Mwema, the Lubumbashi born King Kiki moved to Tanzania in 1977 and since then he adopted the country’s citizenship.
In Tanzania, King Kiki played with Marquis du Zaire, from 1977 during the ‘Kamanyola,’ era, before joining Orchestra Safari Sound in 1979; then again returning to Marquis in 1982 and later on formed his own band the King Kiki Double ‘O!’ in 1983.
Afterwards he appeared in several other groups including Sambulumaa Band, Zaita Musica and eventually La Capitale (Wazee Sugu).
In June 2003 King Kiki and his long-term colleague, Fred Ndala Kasheba played live in London U.K with Kawelee Mutimwana band where they produced the fire hit, ‘Kitambaa Cheupe!’
They were invited by the then Tanzanian envoy to London, Ambassador Hassan Kibelo.
In fact, before immigrating to Tanzania, both King Kiki and the late Ndala Kasheba played with Orchestra Fauvette of Southern DR Congo with which they penned popular numbers such as Jacqueline, Fransisca, Camarade ya Nzela and Zula.
Orchestra Fauvette which was later renamed ‘Safari Nkoy,’ (Chui Msafiri) following President Mobutu Sese Seko Nationalization drive of 1971.
King Kiki’s popular East African tunes include ‘Kasongo Urudie,’ ‘Nimepigwa Ngwala,’ ‘Kyembe’ ‘Masua,’ and ‘Habari Yako,’ which he did with Orchestra Marquis.
Others are ‘Mimi Msafiri,’ ‘Ni Kweli,’ ‘Mtoto wa Mjini,’ ‘Mama Kabibi,’ and ‘Msimamo wa Nyerere,’ (With Orchestra Safari Sound), during the days of his extremely popular dance style, ‘Masantula – Ngoma ya Mpwita!’
Other big hits in Kiki’s catalogue include as ‘Kitoto Chaanza Tambaa,’ ‘Malalamiko,’ and ‘Mimi Nawe,’ (Double ‘O’), Coco (Zaita) and ‘Bokila,’ ‘Kitambaa Cheupe’ and ‘Kakakuona,’ with La Capitale (Wazee Sugu) band.
He was also part of the temporary patriotic music group, Tanzania All Stars, sang for Nguza Viking’s Achigo Band and occasionally joined Tanzania One Theatre (TOT) and even shared stage with Marijani Rajabu of Dar International.
His last recording was ‘Mapenzi Yanauma’ (Love Hurts) recorded with Mjengoni Classic Band of Arusha in 2020 which featured other singers such as Patcho Mwamba.
King Kiki was a keen follower of politics back in DR Congo, his mother land and seemed to support Moise Katumbi his fellow southerner and even penned a couple of songs in praise of the candidate. Kiki also recorded a song in praise of the former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.