Bimi Ombale
| Bimi Ombale | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Andre Bimi Ombale |
| Also known as | Andre Bimi, Bimi Ombale, Mwana Wabi |
| Born |
21 July 1952 Kinshasa |
| Origin | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Died | 29 April 2011 (aged 58) Kinshasa |
| Genres | Pop, Soukous, Gospel |
| Instruments | drums, vocals |
| Years active | 1969–2011 |
Bimi Ombale (21 July 1952- 29 April 2011, born Andre Bimi Ombale, also known as Andre Bimi, Bimi Ombale, Mwana Wabi) was a Congolese singer, drummer and song writer. He was a member of the band Zaiko Langa Langa from 1969 to1988.
Ombale was a drummer for the rhythm and blues and pop band Zezes (1968–1969).
Ombale joined Zaiko in 1969, two days before the band first public performance. He was brought in by Vieux Otis, a friend of the founding members as a drummer for the pop section of the group.
After two years in the band Ombale decided to shift both role and genre, changing from drumming to singing and pop music to Soukous. Zaiko's then-singers Jossart Nyoka Longo, Jules Shungu Wembadio, Anto Evoloko Atshuamo and Simeon Mavuela Somo opposed Omabale singing in the band, ultimately causing him to leave the band. In 1971 he joined his musical idol Tonny Dee in the band Tabou National. Shortly after Tabou National began performing, Zaiko member DV Muanda asked Ombale to rejoin the band. Ombale would only remain in Tabou National for a few more months before returning fully to Zaiko.
While Ombale was back in Zaiko, tensions still existed between him and the singers, who considered him difficult to work with . Ombale then shifted his focus to songwriting. Ombale's first song "Joliba" was recorded in 1971, and received favorable review and heavy airplay. In 1972 he released "Josee-Lina" and "Mwanza" to mixed reviews . However, this year Zaiko also broke into the mainstream with the song "Consolation" off Efonge Gina, which was awarded best song of the year. By 1973, Zaiko was a successful band on the music charts and revolutionizing the youth music with rhythm Cavacha. Ombali's song "Zena" was one of the biggest releases of the year.
In 1974, Anto Evoloko became the frontman of the band. However, Omable and fellow member Jossart Nyoka were given less space to perform. The two began rehearsing at Ombalie family home. The result of their collaboration were the acclaimed songs "Mwana Wabi" and "Mizou" .
Rising tensions in Zaiko between the frontman and the instrumentalists led to their decision in 1975 to oust Evoloko and the singers in favour of Ombalie and Nyoka. Ombale became the creative heart of Zaiko, writing numerous songs and fronting the band in Nyoka Longo. Zaiko continued their success, and many of the former singers returned to the band. However, a developing rivalry between Ombale and singer Mashakado Mbuta over band leadership came to a head at the end of the year during a live performance on Zairian national television. The two singers fought on air for the microphone and refused to sing and dance at each other songs. Mashakado Mbuta left the band in 1976 to join Yoka Lokole.
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