Loketo

{{Infobox musical artist | name = Loketo | image = Le_groupe_Loketo.jpg | caption = Left to right: Jean Baron, Aurlus Mabélé, Mav Cacharel; standing: Diblo Dibala. | origin = Paris, France | genre = Soukous, African rumba, Ndombolo | years_active = 1986–1991 | label = Shanachie | past_members = Aurlus Mabélé Diblo Dibala Mav Cacharel Jean Baron Lucien Bokilo Ronald Rubinel Dally Kimoko Miguel Yamba }}

thumb|Loketo performing in Paris in 1986. '''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.<ref name="citizen">{{cite web |title=Aurlus Mabélé dies aged 67, leaves rich soukous legacy |url=https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/aurlus-mab%C3%A9l%C3%A9-dies-aged-67-leaves-rich-soukous-legacy--2706032 |publisher=The Citizen |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> 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.<ref name="apple">{{cite web |title=Loketo |url=https://music.apple.com/us/artist/loketo/81757363 |publisher=Apple Music |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> 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.<ref name="globe2012">Mitter, Siddhartha (July 12, 2012). [https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2012/07/12/congolese-guitarist-diblo-dibala-play-bastille-day-party/QRF4MdMNTN538iBHjFsByJ/story.html "Congolese guitarist Diblo Dibala to play Bastille Day party"]. ''The Boston Globe''. Retrieved 2025-05-30.</ref> 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."<ref name="apple"/> In 1989, the group performed at SOB's in New York City, marking their arrival on the American music scene.<ref name="afropop">{{cite web |title=Loketo Live in NYC |url=https://www.afropop.org/audio-programs/loketo-live |publisher=Afropop Worldwide |access-date=2026-05-30}}</ref> In 1990, Dibala left the group to form his own band, Matchatcha.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |title=Loketo|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/loketo-mn0000278542#biography |publisher=AllMusic|access-date=2026-05-30}}</ref> Mabélé continued leading the band into the early 1990s, with guitarist Dally Kimoko replacing Dibala, before the group dissolved.<ref name="nyt2020">{{cite news |last=Latif Dahir |first=Abdi |title=Aurlus Mabélé, 'King of Soukous,' Dies at 66 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/23/world/africa/aurlus-mabele-dead-coronavirus.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2020-03-23 |access-date=2026-05-30}}</ref> Mabélé died on 19 March 2020 in Eaubonne, France, after contracting COVID-19.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web |title=Aurlus Mabélé: Congolese music legend dies 'from coronavirus' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51978459 |publisher=BBC News |date=2020-03-20 |access-date=2026-05-30}}</ref><ref name="npr2020">{{cite web |title=Manu Dibango And Aurlus Mabele, Two West African Musical Giants, Die Of COVID-19 |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/03/24/820957249/manu-dibango-and-aurlus-mabele-two-west-african-musical-giants-die-of-covid-19 |publisher=NPR |date=2020-03-24 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref>

==Discography== * ''Trouble'' (1988) * ''Mondo Ry'' (1989) * ''Super Soukous'' (1989, Shanachie) * ''Soukous Trouble'' (1990) * ''Embargo'' (1991) * ''Extra Ball'' (1991, Shanachie)

==See also== * Kanda Bongo Man

==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [https://www.afropop.org/audio-programs/loketo-live Loketo Live in NYC], Afropop Worldwide {{uncategorized|date=May 2026}}