In October, the world marked 30 years since the death of Africa’s most famous singer, Franco Luambo Makiadi. That is a coveted position for any living Kenyan artiste. Franco’s fame went beyond his ...

I’ll always have plenty of reasons to be grateful for the friendship of Jenny Graf Sheppard, a sound artist best known around these parts for her roles in Metalux and Bride of No No, but today I feel ...

Every facet of the life of the late Congolese and African music icon Luambo Makiadi, aka Franco, will be in the spotlight of special content on BBC Swahili marking the 20th anniversary of the artist's ...

Shakara blogs about the Congolese musician, Franco Luambo: “It’s a known fact that Franco recorded various praise songs for Mobutu, openly supported Mobutu’s presidential campaigns and toured to ...

During the 1980’s, a lifetime’s worth of wonderful live African music performances took place in Los Angeles. African music filled KCRW's airwaves and local print media, and it seemed like a group ...

Celebrations and commemorations are taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo and elsewhere on the continent today as people remember the life of Franco Luambo Makiadi. To play this content ...

During his 35 year recording career, the Congolese guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and bandleader Franco released several hundred singles and around 150 albums. Where does the anthologist begin, and ...

Zairian jazz guitarist and band leader FRANCO, 51, a leading force in African music who made more than 100 albums, died Thursday. Franco’s real name was Lokanga Ladjo Pene Luambo Makiadi. Franco and ...