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Lokassa ya Mbongo was a renowned Congolese guitarist born in Kinshasa in 1946. He passed away on March 15, 2023. Unlike many lead guitarists in Congolese music, Lokassa achieved fame as a rhythm guitarist, starting his professional career in the influential band Afrisale, led by Tabu Ley. From 1968, when the band was known as African Fiesta National, he spent a decade playing alongside notable lead players such as Attel Mbumba, Mavatiku Visi, and Dino Vangu, contributing to the band's success and performing at the prestigious Olympia in Paris in 1970. In 1978, during an Afrisa tour, Lokassa and several bandmates left the group in Abidjan to form the African All Stars with singer Sam Mangwana. Although the group was short-lived, they produced several remarkable songs. After the All Stars disbanded in Togo in 1979, Lokassa settled in Lomé, adopting the name Lokassa ya Mbongo, which translates to "Lokassa the money man." He collaborated with fellow Congolese musicians in exile, including future members of Quatre Etoiles, such as Nyboma Mwan Dido, Syran M'Benza, and Bopol Mansiamina. In 1982, he reunited with Mandjeku, Mangwana, and Moya for another round of African All Stars recordings. Lokassa moved to Paris in

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