Fela Kuti and his Angolan-Congolese born guitarist

Did you know that Fela Kuti had an Angolan-Congolese born guitarist? 

Kiala Nzavotunga with Fela Anikulapokuti in The Shrine, Lagos, 1981 ©Achenpong RFI

Now 67, Kiala Zavotunga was born to Angolan parents in the  Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire) . Kiala grew up in Kinshasa and was surrounded by music during his childhood. Even though his father was an accordionist, he was drawn to the likembe and the guitar. 

After a brief period of playing for local cover bands, Kaila ended up in the backing band of the Joseph Kabasele, aka 'Le Grand Kalle' in Africa Jazz. He also joined the soukous rumba band Negro Success.

By 1974, he traveled as a guitarist, in other African countries such as Congo-Brazza, Angola, Gabon, and  Cameroon. Tired of Mobutu’s repressive regime and limitations against musicians, Kiala packed his bags and left for Nigeria in 1975.

He landed in Nigeria flat broke without any contacts, but was determined to meet his idol Fela Kuti. Kiala sold his shoes to pay for the ticket to Lagos with to meet and ask Fela for help. He succeeded in meeting Fela, who gave him 50 niara, which is the equivalent to 50$ at the time.

Kiala remained in Nigeria for eight years, while playing for bands such as Eyes of Man, Black Children, Action Funk Ensemble and Stormers. Then in 1981, Fela Kuti invited him to join his band, Egypt 80 and recorded on the album “Original Suffer Head”.

In 1983, with the advice of Fela’s manager Pascal Imbert, Kiala founded Europe's first Afrobeat band Ghettoblaster in Paris. They band was a success, they opened for artists such as James Brown, Albert King, Kool and the Gang, Manu Dibango, and Kassav. 

While in Paris, he fell in love with a Japenese Women who would later became his wife. The couple moved to japan where Kiala became interested in mixing Japanese and African sounds while playing in avant garde bands.

After a 30 year career in music, Kiala recently released his first solo album Money with The Afroblaster in 2019. 

Sources:

World Music Central, Kiala Nzavotunga

Modern Ghana, Alison Hird, RFI

Real Rebel Base,Kiala & The Afroblaster