Samba Mapangala’s Race to Save The Mountain Gorilla

“Les Gorilles des Montagnes” an upbeat dance song commissioned by WWF to increase awareness of conservation in the Congo Basin, begins with the still-stunning, instantly recognizable a cappella prelude to his 1981 hit “Tolinga Virunga” (We Love Virunga). But then the beat drops into a beautiful new melody and lyrics telling of the need to preserve the rare mountain gorillas and their fragile environment, and expressing gratitude to the park rangers who risk their lives daily to prevent poaching and illegal charcoal production. WWF will use this music to reinforce its efforts in East Africa and Congo, especially in the Goma and Bukavu regions where years of war and turmoil have impacted the gorillas’ habitat in the Virunga mountains, home to around half of the world’s remaining 700 mountain gorillas.

“Music is such a natural way to spread a message in Africa, and I’m thrilled with the positive and uplifting message Samba has created in “Les Gorilles des Montagnes,” says Matthew Lewis, Senior Program Officer for African species conservation with WWF.
Adds Samba: “I am so happy to be helping the WWF protect the wildlife and the environment of the beautiful Virunga mountains, from where I took the name of my band Orchestre Virunga in 1980.”

On Sept. 29, Samba made a personal appearance to launch the song at the International Conservation Council Forum bi-cameral hearing and reception on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, attended by representatives of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership member nations Burundi, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Sao Tome and Principe, and Rwanda.

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SAMBA MAPANGALA’S VIDEO ON AMBIANCE CONGO

Visit the World Wildlife Fund’s site for information on efforts to save the mountain gorillas

Samba Mapangala to headline Obama Inaugural

Samba and his U.S.-based Virunga contingent have been invited to play at one of the Presidential Inauguration Balls in Washington DC on Jan. 20. And not just any one, this is the invitation-only black-tie gala “Africa on the Potomac: The Pan-African Inaugural Celebration of President Barack Obama,” co-hosted by the Government of the Republic of Kenya, African Diplomatic Corps, African Union, African Professionals in Washington DC, and the Corporate Council on Africa. Among the distinguished guests will be Madame Sarah Obama, the paternal grandmother of the President-Elect, the Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, various African ambassadors, and private and public sector leaders. The event takes place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA, where the assembled dignitaries will be entertained by Samba Mapangala and Virunga, and the acclaimed Boys Choir of Kenya.

Samba has also kicked off the new year with a new release of live recordings from his 2007 North American tour. The digital-only album, Samba Mapangala and Virunga: Live on Tour, is available now as a download from CD Baby.com, and will be followed by a compact disc release later in the year. It also includes bonus remixes of “Obama Ubarikiwe” (Obama Be Blessed), a praise song written and recorded by Samba during the presidential campaign last year in recognition of how proud Africans are of Obama’s achievements and candidacy. Downloads for review by press and media are available on line; please request the password for access.

Then in February 2009, Samba travels to East Africa to headline the 6th annual Sauti za Busara Festival held Feb. 12-17 in Zanzibar, Tanzania, for which his Nairobi-based Virunga outfit will be augmented by his long-time colleagues and collaborators from Congo by way of Paris, acclaimed lead guitarist Syran Mbenza and drummer extraordinaire Komba Bellow. The group then returns to Nairobi for additional concerts in February to be announced.

C C Smith

OBAMA UBARIKIWE-WATCH THE VIDEO

samba Mapangala Still Going Strong

Many remember Samba Mapangala from the 80’s when him and his band Orchestra Virunga were a household name in Kenya and East Africa. The younger folks are familiar with Samba’s evergreen hit song Vunja Mifupa. For those who knew him from the 80’s and saw him perform in Minneapolis on Oct 13^th, in Milwaukee on October 14^th or Chicago on October 20th and 21^st will agree that Samba still got his dance moves. His voice is also as intact as ever.

About Samba Mapangala

Born in Matadi, Congo, Samba Mapangala moved to Kinshasa in the early 1970s, to pursue his secondary education. Inspired by legendary Congolese vocalists Tabu Ley Rochereau and Soki Dianzenza, it was there that Samba began his singing career.

Samba’s early years included stints in the groups Bariza, Super Bella Bella and Super Tukina. It was while touring in Eastern Congo in 1975 that Samba and other musicians separated from Bikassy Bijos’ Orchestra Saka Saka. Recruited by a Ugandan promoter, Samba and his comrades set up camp in Kampala. There, they formed Les Kinois, with Samba as lead vocalist.

In 1977, Les Kinois shifted their base to Nairobi, where they made their first recordings on 7” vinyl with Melodica Records. Hits like the original Malako, Sunday, Christmas and Sigana Mar Anyango rang out over the airwaves.

Les Kinois gave way to Orchestra Virunga in 1981, with Samba as bandleader and lead vocalist. 1982 saw the release of the “Disco Time” LP, which included Malako Disco, Virunga and other hits. Released internationally as “Virunga Volcano”, this album has been recognized in “World Music: 100 Essential CDs” by Simon Broughton.

Samba Mapangala and Virunga churned out the hits throughout the 80s, with such memorable numbers as Mabiala, Kimotho, Sister Ali, and, towards the end of the decade, the mega-hit Vunja Mifupa.

The 90s saw Samba recording and performing with various manifestations of Virunga. Album releases included the critically-acclaimed “Feet on Fire” in 1991, “Karibu Kenya” in 1995 and “Vunja Mifupa” (released in Kenya as “Confusion”) in 1997.

In 1997, Samba toured the United States, backed by an all-star lineup of veteran musicians from Virunga, and other Nairobi-based bands. The late John Ngereza of Les Wanyika was part of the tour. Joining the group in Boston for a unique and memorable performance was the late Fadhili William, a/k/a “Mr. Malaika”.

Following the 1997 tour, Samba set up residence in Maryland, where he currently lives with his family. Though far in distance from his fan base, Samba remains close at heart. His album “Ujumbe”, released in 2001, was intended as a special message to his fans. This album contained the hit Dunia Tuna Pita, which was the impetus for Samba’s 2004 tour of Tanzania. In 2006, Samba returned with his latest album, “Song and Dance”.

Samba toured the US, Canada and Europe in 2007. He is currently on a US tour and then heads to Zanzibar, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

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Photos from Minnesota