Brazzaville is recognized as the cradle of rumba. But this city with more than 1.5 million souls also vibrated in the 80s and 90s to the rhythm of the souk of the legendary Cassava group whose main host, Jacob Desvarieux, bowed on Friday 30 July. Nightclubs, even though they were officially closed due to Covid-19, pay tribute to him.
as reported from Brazzaville, Loïcia Martial
Saturday night we are less than two hours from the curfew. Customers of this secret nightclub in the heart of the Congolese capital arrived by car, parked in a parking lot right in front. The club is full. Some consumers sit, others stand with beer bottles or glasses filled with strong alcohol. DJ Mano Manner, who is hosting the evening, pays tribute to Jacob Desvarieux. “Everyone is crying for Jacob Desvarieux,” says the DJ.
Not far from the nightclub, Glany Mokonzi, who came to attend his friend’s wedding day, has a glass of wine in his hand, a thought for Jacob Desvarieux.
“He sang in Creole. We did not really listen to the lyrics, but the cadence made us dance well. When you hear Cassava, it’s much more Jacob Desvarieux and Jocelyne. In any case, it affected my youth a lot, he says.
Since the announcement of the Guadeloupe star’s death, the clubs, dance halls and other relaxation areas in Brazzaville have played all the hits from the Cassava group.
► Read also: Death of Jacob Desvarieux, champion in zouk with Cassava ‘and interface between the Caribbean and Africa
■ Tribute to Congolese Zao
The author of the famous song Veteran, RFI 1982 Prize, the Congolese artist Casimir Zoba, known as Zao, pays tribute to Guadeloupe, which he presents as “a safe bet” in world music.
Jacob Desvarieux was very well known through this mythical orchestra, Cassava. I would say that it is a safe investment in world music, Guadeloupe, French and African “, testified the artist Zao. He performed his works with his unusual voice. He’s a big man. His death is a great loss to music in general. He has helped many African artists, such as the Congolese Pierre Mountouari, as he was a sound engineer on Safari ambiance. “
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