Loketo
OriginParis, France
GenreSoukous, 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 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. ^ "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.