Defao
François 'Lulendo Matumona, known professionally as Général Défao or Défao', was a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer and bandleader. Born in Kinshasa, he began performing at the age of 17 with local groups such as Suka Movema, Forgo Stars, Korotoro, and Somo West before joining Félix Manuaku Waku's band Grand Zaïko Wawa in 1981. In partnership with Djo Poster, known as "Grand Muyaka", he quickly became a crowd favorite in Kinshasa for his stage presence and innovative dance moves.
Défao rose to prominence in the 1980s as a member of soukous band Choc Stars, where his collaborations with guitarist Roxy Tshimpaka and atalaku Ditutala popularized the Roboti-Robota dance. During this period he recorded a string of successful songs, including duets with Debaba, and established himself as one of the defining voices of Congolese popular music. In 1991, at the height of his popularity, he co-founded his own band, Big Stars, which produced several hits that became staples of soukous and ndombolo, such as "Copinage", "Sam Samitanga", "Agence courage", "Maintenance", "Sala Noki", "Piss-cass", and "Famille Kikuta". Through Big Stars, he also fostered the careers of younger musicians and worked alongside leading Congolese artists, including Mbilia Bel, Papa Wemba, and Koffi Olomide.
From the 2000s onward, Défao continued to perform, often from a base in Kenya, while his influence remained strong across Central and East Africa. He died in Douala, Cameroon, on 27 December 2021, from complications related to COVID-19.
Early life and career
1958–1980: Childhood, education and music debut
Défao was born François Lulendo Matumona on 31 December 1958 in Léopoldville, in what was then the Belgian Congo. In the 1970s, during Mobutu Sese Seko's cultural authenticity campaign, his parents added the post-name "Tulendo" in accordance with the regime's policy to Africanize personal identities.Défao was raised in the Kinshasa quartier of Lemba, specifically in the quartier of Foire. Like many young urbanites of the era, he adopted a sobriquet—Fanfan—an affectionate diminutive of François. The Matumona family later relocated to Bumbu, Kinshasa, where Défao began to explore his musical interests. His earliest involvement in music is disputed: according to Congolese music journalist Zéphyrin Nkumu Assana Kirika, Défao entered the Kinshasa music scene through the local band Suka Movema, later performing with groups such as Forgo Stars, Korotoro, and Somo West. However, another commentator, Samuel Malonga, posits that Défao's formative experience occurred in a local band that later evolved into Fogo Star, possibly the same as Suka Movema.
To dissuade his son from a musical career, Défao's father enrolled him in a boarding school in Inkisi in 1969. In Inkisi, he met a teacher who was also a musician, and who facilitated his entry into the school band Somo West. The band quickly garnered regional attention in towns such as Kimpese and Mbanza-Ngungu. Défao distinguished himself within Somo West as a singer, dancer, and interpreter of popular hits such as "Lisuma Ya Zazu" by Papa Wemba and Yoka Lokole. His performances earned him the nickname "Papa Wemba of Inkisi".
1981–1990: Grand Zaïko Wawa and Choc Stars
Although he initially aspired to join Papa Wemba's band, Viva La Musica, Défao's path ultimately led elsewhere. In 1981, guitarist Félix Manuaku Waku reconstituted his band Grand Zaïko Wawa during the Jubilé Ambiance festivities in Ndjili, Kinshasa. While retreating in Inkisi with the band, Manuaku heard of Défao's reputation and recruited him into Grand Zaïko Wawa. Arriving in Kinshasa with the band, Défao attracted national attention as a performer, known for his voice and choreographic flair. With Grand Zaïko Wawa, he formed a notable partnership with Djo Poster and introduced the dance "Benda singa/Parachuté" and a signature animation cry. Around this time, Défao released his debut vinyl single, "Salima Na Ngai", and rapidly became the band's lead vocalist.In 1983, he left Grand Zaïko Wawa to join Choc Stars, a band founded by Benoît "Ben" Mutombo Nyamabo. During his time with Choc Stars, Défao performed alongside prominent Congolese artists such as Bozi Boziana, Carlyto Lassa, Debaba, Djuna Djanna, Nzaya Nzayadio, and Monza 1er. Together with guitarist Roxy Tshimpaka and atalaku Ditutala, the band popularized the Roboti-Robota dance style, which resonated widely across the country. In 1985, Défao contributed several compositions, including "Madjodjo", "Amour du Risque", "Chango", and "Lili-Libandi" under the Paris-based label Équateur. That same year, he also released tracks such as "D.V.", "Lievin", "Gina", and "Santa" under the Afro-Rythmes label, with backing guest vocals by Koffi Olomide. In 1986, he appeared on the Anytha-Ngapy Productions release He Wakatsa 2e Épisode, which included the breakout tracks "Kopalangana Te", "Au Bon Accueil", "Ami Ngapy", and "Farya". Additional works from this period included "Kayisa Nguya" and "Mustapha", also produced by Anytha-Ngapy Productions.
1991–2021: Big Stars
In 1991, building on his growing popularity, Défao departed Choc Stars and founded his band, Big Stars, alongside Djo Poster Mumbata, also a former member of Grand Zaïko Wawa. Big Stars served as a launching platform for several emerging Congolese artists, including Montana Kamenga, Kabosé Bulembi, Théo Mbala, as well as musicians such as Serge Kasongo Mboka Liya, Jagger Bokoko, Lufu Toto "Sénéchal", Djo Djo Bayenge, Trocadero, Azanga, Anthony Sampaïo, Gipson, Bleu Kinanga, Bakolo Keta, Ladji Son, Adoli Bamweniko, Mogus, Guy Wa Nzambi, Richa Cogna Cogna, Sejo, and Kavanda. Throughout the 1990s, Défao experienced a period of unprecedented productivity. He released at least seventeen albums during the decade, six of which were distributed in European markets.Défao's 1992 release Amour Scolaire achieved significant commercial success, with the title track topping charts in Zaire. In 1995, the album Pitié mon amour garnered particular acclaim in East Africa. His influence was formally recognized when he was voted Congolese Musician of the Year for two consecutive years, 1995 and 1996. Riding the wave of the emerging ndombolo genre, Défao released the album Sala Noki in 1997, which received widespread acclaim. The nine-track album included popular songs such as "Sala Noki", "Sam Samitanga", "Agence Courage", "Maintenance," and "Copinage". In 1998, he followed up with the album Copinage, which included guest vocals by Mbilia Bel. In October of that year, Défao and Big Stars made their debut performance at the Coast Car Park in Mombasa, Kenya. The concert, organized with an ensemble of eleven musicians and five dancers, including lead singer Suke Chule, featured a repertoire of Défao's most popular songs, with the performance of "Nikusema Nakutaka". Following this event, the band went on to perform at City Cabanas Hotel in Nairobi and later at the Lakers Club in Kisumu. That same year, Défao released two additional albums, Général Défao Les Big Stars Et Les 2 Charlots and Tremblement De Terre. The latter included the politically charged track "Mboka Ya Diogen", a veiled critique of then-president Laurent-Désiré Kabila and his administration. Despite this critical stance, Défao also participated that year in Souzy Kasseya's "Tokufa Po Na Congo", a patriotic ensemble piece praising national unity that featured several leading figures in Congolese music under the supergroup Les Plus Grandes Stars, including Wendo Kolosoy, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Jossart N'Yoka Longo, Koffi Olomide, King Kester Emeneya, Werrason, JB Mpiana, Simaro Lutumba, Madilu System, Félix Wazekwa, Tshala Muana, Mbilia Bel, Pépé Kallé, Marie Paul, Pascal Poba, and Manda Chante, among others.
In 1999, Défao maintained a high level of output with the release of three more albums: La Guerre De 100 Ans, Bana Congo Vol. 1: Made in America, and Ambiance Plus: Bana Congo Vol. 2. This period of prolific output, however, also revealed inconsistencies in career management. Défao frequently changed producers and record labels, at times releasing alternate versions of the same material through different distributors. That year, his career was disrupted when, after arriving in Dar es Salaam, he suffered a severe health crisis caused by malaria and high blood pressure, prompting the cancellation of several widely anticipated performances, including a headline show on 2 July. The tour had been slated to culminate in the launch of Orchestre Benta Musica, a multinational ensemble, at the Hotel Kilimanjaro, where Défao was expected to serve as guest of honor.
In early 2000s, Big Stars continued to perform across East Africa, where Défao had permanently relocated, but faced recurrent difficulties that hampered their stability. The band grappled with financial constraints, evidenced by repeated disputes over unpaid hotel bills and fines for overstaying in host countries. These problems culminated in several arrests and detentions of Défao himself, alongside immigration violations involving numerous band members. Despite maintaining a visible presence through performances in Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, the band's activities were frequently overshadowed by organizational and management challenges. By 2006, Défao had shifted his focus to a new 16-member outfit, Kisanula, with which he toured internationally. Big Stars was later revived in the early 2010s.
Solo career
2000–2021: Piracy, releases, detention, and performances
In 2000, Défao signed with JPS Productions, a Paris-based label founded by Cameroonian producer Jean Pierre Saah. He subsequently recorded the solo album Nessy De London with a lineup of accomplished session musicians, including Nyboma, Wuta Mayi, Luciana De Mingongo, Dally Kimoko, 3615 Code Niawu, Ballou Canta, Deesse Mukangi, and Djudjuchet Luvengoka. Before the official launch on 4 September, reports surfaced that pirated copies were already circulating in Tanzania. According to the Tanzania Music Copyright Association, Congolese artists had filed complaints against Tanzanian producers and wholesalers accused of unauthorized reproduction and distribution. Défao had previously condemned such practices in 1999, when pirated cassettes of his songs were sold in Dar es Salaam before their official release. After encountering bootlegged versions of Nessy De London on the streets, he was reportedly moved to tears before his entourage, later organizing a press conference to denounce the piracy and express frustration that his Tanzanian visit, intended for the album's official launch, had been undermined.Following Nessy De London
After several years of limited activity, Défao returned to the stage in September 2006 with a new 16-member band named Kisanula, accompanied by dancers. Organized by international promoter Jules Nsana, the comeback tour was intended to promote his forthcoming album Nzombo le Soir, with concerts scheduled in Kampala and California. Another extended absence followed the release of Nzombo le Soir later that year, lasting until the 2010 release of Pur Encore, a digital-only album that was criticized for poor audio quality. Despite these criticisms, Robert Kalumba of the Daily Monitor observed that several tracks from Pur Encore were well received in performance, attributing their positive reception in part to the use of a strong sound system.
In 2011, he began preparing a more ambitious return with the album The Undertaker Vol. 1. The project was produced over an extended period to ensure high production standards and was released by Éditions Kaluila. Accompanied by music videos filmed across Africa and Europe, The Undertaker Vol. 1 was praised as a major comeback and reaffirmed Défao's place in Congolese music. In 2016, he released Any Time, produced by Djeffar Awatoza Productions, which featured collaborations with prominent Kinshasa and Brazzaville-based artists, including Roga Roga, Sam Tshintu, Manda Chante, and long-time associate Godessy Lofombo. In August 2019, following a 21-year absence from the Congolese capital and the end of Joseph Kabila's presidency, Défao returned to Kinshasa under the administration of President Félix Tshisekedi. He reconstituted Big Stars with former members such as Montana Kamenga and Azanga, and together they recorded what would become his final album, Bety Poni.