Loketo

Loketo
Left to right: Jean Baron, Aurlus Mabélé, Mav Cacharel; standing: Diblo Dibala.
Left to right: Jean Baron, Aurlus Mabélé, Mav Cacharel; standing: Diblo Dibala.
Background information
OriginParis, France
GenresSoukous, African rumba, Ndombolo
Years active1986–1991
LabelShanachie
Past membersAurlus Mabélé
Diblo Dibala
Mav Cacharel
Jean Baron
Lucien Bokilo
Ronald Rubinel
Dally Kimoko
Miguel Yamba
Loketo performing in Paris in 1986.

Loketo was a soukous group formed in Paris, France in 1986 by Congo-Brazzaville singer Aurlus Mabélé, guitarist Diblo Dibala, and singer Mav Cacharel, former members of the Congolese group Ndimbola Lokolé. The name Loketo means "hips" in Lingala.[1]

Within the Paris soukous scene of the late 1980s, Loketo quickly rose to prominence, with Dibala's guitar work earning him the nickname "Machine Gun," driving a series of dance hits.[2] Dibala later described Loketo's musical contribution as having helped pioneer a faster-paced style of soukous that favored reaching the sebene, the accelerating, guitar-driven climax.[3] A multi-artist compilation described the band as "a sort of Zairian supergroup of 'new generation' musicians known for a super-tight, high-energy show."[2] In 1989, the group performed at SOB's in New York City, marking their arrival on the American music scene.[4]

In 1990, Dibala left the group to form his own band, Matchatcha.[5] Mabélé continued leading the band into the early 1990s, with guitarist Dally Kimoko replacing Dibala, before the group dissolved.[6] Mabélé died on 19 March 2020 in Eaubonne, France, after contracting COVID-19.[7][8]

Discography

  • Trouble (1988)
  • Mondo Ry (1989)
  • Super Soukous (1989, Shanachie)
  • Soukous Trouble (1990)
  • Embargo (1991)
  • Extra Ball (1991, Shanachie)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Aurlus Mabélé dies aged 67, leaves rich soukous legacy". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  2. ^ a b "Loketo". Apple Music. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  3. ^ Mitter, Siddhartha (July 12, 2012). "Congolese guitarist Diblo Dibala to play Bastille Day party". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  4. ^ "Loketo Live in NYC". Afropop Worldwide. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  5. ^ "Loketo". AllMusic. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  6. ^ Latif Dahir, Abdi (2020-03-23). "Aurlus Mabélé, 'King of Soukous,' Dies at 66". The New York Times. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  7. ^ "Aurlus Mabélé: Congolese music legend dies 'from coronavirus'". BBC News. 2020-03-20. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  8. ^ "Manu Dibango And Aurlus Mabele, Two West African Musical Giants, Die Of COVID-19". NPR. 2020-03-24. Retrieved 2025-05-30.


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