MABY-JOSKY KIAMBUKUTA ET BANA OK

Bana OK (meaning "Children of OK") is a Congolese rumba orchestra formed in January 1994 following a split within the legendary band TPOK Jazz.
Origin and Formation
The Catalyst: After the death of TPOK Jazz founder Franco Luambo Makiadi in 1989, the band continued for four years under the leadership of Simaro Lutumba.
The Split: In late 1993, a financial dispute arose between the musicians and Franco’s heirs over the sharing of revenue (reportedly a 70/30 split that the family wished to increase).
Founding: Unable to reach an agreement, Simaro Lutumba led approximately 30 musicians to leave and form a new ensemble, Bana OK, officially founded in Brussels on January 4, 1994.
Key Leadership and Members
The band was composed of the core veterans who had defined the "Odemba" style of rumba:
Simaro Lutumba ("Le Poète"): President and primary songwriter.
Josky Kiambukuta: Vice President and lead vocalist.
Ndombe Opetum: Founding member and vocalist.
Other Notable Members: Shak Shakembo, Papy Balay, Elba Kuluma, and Gerry Dialungana.
Musical Legacy and Style
Bana OK maintained the classic TPOK Jazz heritage, characterized by poetic storytelling, intricate rhythm guitar, and powerful vocal harmonies.
Major Albums: Successful releases include Cabinet Molili, Bakitani, Trahison, Ingratitude, and Dernier Avertissement (1999).
Success: They became the premier rumba group in Kinshasa during the mid-1990s, often performing nightly at the "Grand Baobab" bar.
Decline and Later Years
The band’s effectiveness waned in the 2000s due to the deaths of key members and the relocation of others:
Ntesa Dalienst died in 1996; Gerry Dialungana in 2002; Ndombe Opetum in 2012.
Final Leaders: The group eventually split into two wings: one in Kinshasa led by Simaro, and a Paris-based wing featuring Josky Kiambukuta.
End of an Era: The band effectively ceased as a major force following Simaro Lutumba's retirement in 2018 and his subsequent death in 2019.