Thousands of fans have taken to the streets of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital to mourn Madilu System, known as "Congo's King of Rumba".
Thousands of fans have taken to the streets of the Democratic Republic of Congo's capital to mourn Madilu System, known as "Congo's King of Rumba".
Police controlled the crowds as they accompanied the singer's coffin from Kinshasa's main stadium, where it had lain for three days, to the cemetery.
Police controlled the crowds as they accompanied the singer's coffin from Kinshasa's main stadium, where it had lain for three days, to the cemetery.
Madilu played with the famous TP OK Jazz band led by the late Franco Luambo Makiadi in the 1980s.
Madilu played with the famous TP OK Jazz band led by the late Franco Luambo Makiadi in the 1980s.
Congolese music is world renowned and has an important place in life there.
Congolese music is world renowned and has an important place in life there.
Since his death at the age of 57, the country's radio stations have been playing Madilu's music for hours on end in tribute to him.
Since his death at the age of 57, the country's radio stations have been playing Madilu's music for hours on end in tribute to him.
'Congo's greatest composer'
'Congo's greatest composer'
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says thousands upon thousands turned out to pay their respects at the stadium in one of the country's best attended funerals in many years.
The BBC's Arnaud Zajtman in Kinshasa says thousands upon thousands turned out to pay their respects at the stadium in one of the country's best attended funerals in many years.
His voice, composition of songs, sense of humour and main ideas of songs can tell how much we will miss him Mpoyi KatayiMadilu fan in Canada
His voice, composition of songs, sense of humour and main ideas of songs can tell how much we will miss him Mpoyi KatayiMadilu fan in Canada
"Since you are gone, we do not live, we do not eat," sang some leading Congolese musicians as they surrounded Madilu's coffin.
"Since you are gone, we do not live, we do not eat," sang some leading Congolese musicians as they surrounded Madilu's coffin.
He says the old, young, star musicians and minsters all attended.
He says the old, young, star musicians and minsters all attended.
"I've been attending Madilu's funeral for two days while the body was exposed. I don't know when there will be another Madilu," one woman said as the coffin was moved from the stadium to its last resting place.
"I've been attending Madilu's funeral for two days while the body was exposed. I don't know when there will be another Madilu," one woman said as the coffin was moved from the stadium to its last resting place.
The rich and famous were allowed into the cemetery; the fans were kept at a distance from where they tried to get a glimpse of the ceremony, our correspondent says.
The rich and famous were allowed into the cemetery; the fans were kept at a distance from where they tried to get a glimpse of the ceremony, our correspondent says.
Madilu, born Jean De Dieu Bilau, died in a Kinshasa hospital on 11 August; he had suffered from diabetes.
Madilu, born Jean De Dieu Bilau, died in a Kinshasa hospital on 11 August; he had suffered from diabetes.
His other nicknames were Ramses II and the Grand Ninja.
His other nicknames were Ramses II and the Grand Ninja.
Music critics say he will be most remembered for his duets with Franco. After Franco's death, he sang alone and continued to tour with band members.
Music critics say he will be most remembered for his duets with Franco. After Franco's death, he sang alone and continued to tour with band members.
Lubangi Muniania, head of music label Tabilulu Productions, says Madilu was arguably one of the best composers in DR Congo.
Lubangi Muniania, head of music label Tabilulu Productions, says Madilu was arguably one of the best composers in DR Congo.
"To most fans of TP OK Jazz, Madilu had a particular way of singing, his system - no wonder he became System," he wrote in tribute to the singer.
"To most fans of TP OK Jazz, Madilu had a particular way of singing, his system - no wonder he became System," he wrote in tribute to the singer.
Send us your memories of Madilu using the form below.
Send us your memories of Madilu using the form below.
In the early days when Madilu system came we had a young girl who use to dance Madilu's music so frantically that she was named "Madilu System¿ and she grew up to be known by that name and so Madilu still lives amongst us.Peter and Mary, Kampata Uganda
In the early days when Madilu system came we had a young girl who use to dance Madilu's music so frantically that she was named "Madilu System¿ and she grew up to be known by that name and so Madilu still lives amongst us.Peter and Mary, Kampata Uganda
He was one of the best legends in rumba, Congo has ever produced. His voice, composition of songs, sense of humour, and main ideas of songs can tell how much we will miss him. It is surely hard to acquire such a musician in our modern world! Que son ame reste en paix!mpoyi katayi, guelph, canada.
He was one of the best legends in rumba, Congo has ever produced. His voice, composition of songs, sense of humour, and main ideas of songs can tell how much we will miss him. It is surely hard to acquire such a musician in our modern world! Que son ame reste en paix!mpoyi katayi, guelph, canada.
Madilu's music was inspirational, despite not me understanding the singer's language. I personally envied him as one of the longest Congolese musicians, a thing so rare in Zambia where most of our musicians never last longer than a decade.Donald Mumba, Kitwe, Zambia
Madilu's music was inspirational, despite not me understanding the singer's language. I personally envied him as one of the longest Congolese musicians, a thing so rare in Zambia where most of our musicians never last longer than a decade.Donald Mumba, Kitwe, Zambia
I am a Congolese living in South Africa for seven years now. I send my dear condolences to Madilu systeme. I always enjoyed is music up to now, may is body rest in peace. The whole Madilu systeme family must know that The man will never get out of my memory till I meet in grave.Freddy Munyololo Muganza, cape Town- south Africa
I am a Congolese living in South Africa for seven years now. I send my dear condolences to Madilu systeme. I always enjoyed is music up to now, may is body rest in peace. The whole Madilu systeme family must know that The man will never get out of my memory till I meet in grave.Freddy Munyololo Muganza, cape Town- south Africa
The death of the Congolese legend Madilu System has been received with great shock not only in his country but also in our country. I should make mention that even in Zambia many radio stations and our national television station dedicated their time in mourning Madilu by playing a number of his selection. Although his gone his music leaves on. VIVA SADC, VIVA AFRIQUE... MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.Yotamu Mugara, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
The death of the Congolese legend Madilu System has been received with great shock not only in his country but also in our country. I should make mention that even in Zambia many radio stations and our national television station dedicated their time in mourning Madilu by playing a number of his selection. Although his gone his music leaves on. VIVA SADC, VIVA AFRIQUE... MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.Yotamu Mugara, LUSAKA, ZAMBIA
Madilu is a great musician whose music has touches life not only in Congo but in Africa as a whole. I am one of His fans in Nigeria. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. May God take cares of his families left behind. Dauda Tunde, Lagos Nigeria
Madilu is a great musician whose music has touches life not only in Congo but in Africa as a whole. I am one of His fans in Nigeria. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. May God take cares of his families left behind. Dauda Tunde, Lagos Nigeria
One of greatest vocal worldwide after my mom's. I learned Lingala just to understand his songs and luambo's probably God was in need of such glamorous voice near him and took him to heaven. I commiserate with all Congolesejean marie habineza, rwanda-kigali
One of greatest vocal worldwide after my mom's. I learned Lingala just to understand his songs and luambo's probably God was in need of such glamorous voice near him and took him to heaven. I commiserate with all Congolesejean marie habineza, rwanda-kigali
Am so saddened by this, Madilu was the sound track of most of my teenage years! He will be missedMiss Marceline, UK
Am so saddened by this, Madilu was the sound track of most of my teenage years! He will be missedMiss Marceline, UK
Madilu, you have been really the Rumba giant the world has produced oh! How golden your voice was? Rest eternal.Chissulo Chissengu Sakala, Tete - Mozambique
Madilu, you have been really the Rumba giant the world has produced oh! How golden your voice was? Rest eternal.Chissulo Chissengu Sakala, Tete - Mozambique
I am a fan of Congolese musicians. I grew up with their music in my native country Sierra Leone. I cried when I heard of Madilu's death. To me the title 'marie mado'(franco and the ok jazz) will remain a living memory. He rose to be known widely because of his service to Lukango luambo makiadi (franco). I was in Morocco (1987) when they did the title 'attention na sida'. I greatly admired Madilu when he associated himself with musicians like lokasa ya bongo, dally kimoko, nene tchacou tchacou. He also made great titles with kabaka niboman etc. He joined the band wagon of the group of dombolo musicians for the millennium. so he sang both for the old and the young. may his soul rest in peace.kamara john okonko, conakry, guinea
I am a fan of Congolese musicians. I grew up with their music in my native country Sierra Leone. I cried when I heard of Madilu's death. To me the title 'marie mado'(franco and the ok jazz) will remain a living memory. He rose to be known widely because of his service to Lukango luambo makiadi (franco). I was in Morocco (1987) when they did the title 'attention na sida'. I greatly admired Madilu when he associated himself with musicians like lokasa ya bongo, dally kimoko, nene tchacou tchacou. He also made great titles with kabaka niboman etc. He joined the band wagon of the group of dombolo musicians for the millennium. so he sang both for the old and the young. may his soul rest in peace.kamara john okonko, conakry, guinea
He brought happiness right into my heart and home and for that I thank him and may his soul rest in peace. Banda Ngenge, USA
He brought happiness right into my heart and home and for that I thank him and may his soul rest in peace. Banda Ngenge, USA
Madilu was and will remain a great person in Congolese music. I will always remember him and his song YA JEAN.Jean Paul Mugabowishema, Kigali Rwanda
Madilu was and will remain a great person in Congolese music. I will always remember him and his song YA JEAN.Jean Paul Mugabowishema, Kigali Rwanda
I was saddened by the news of Madilus's passing. He was one of those extraordinary people with a deep commitment and involvement to making life a pleasant journey through his music. His involvement and enthusiasm for music was a good source of energy for many of us. His body is gone, but his music lives on. We will remember him with joy and appreciation. He was a role model for many. May God rest him in peace Sidney Mwewa, Mufulira Zambia
Oh no! Madilu could have lived a little bit longer than this. This is the guy who inspired me to love Lingala music; and that was when I was still youthful, and for sure I still like it. Although some Ugandan musicians started mimicking their relics, still they could not match them. That is somehow how Lingala music became less popular here in Uganda in the early 2000.May the Almighty God rest you in eternal peace, Madilu!Julius, Kampala, Uganda
Madilu System or Madilu Multi system, will be seriously missed. He, Franco and recently Awilo have been the most loved Congo musicians. I will always remember the songs "Pessa Position", "RTC Riva","Boma Nga Naboma you" and 'Frer Edward". Another Madilu will surely come, but it will take 200 years.Ibrahim Abdalla Nour, El Fashir, Sudan
I remember listening to Madilu's music from an early age and like most people, despite not understanding the language at all, I enjoyed. In the '90s, his music was playing on just about every corner of the streets where I grew up in Zambia. We made up our own phrases in the local language that sounded like what the Congolese were singing in Lingala and often it was very funny. R.I.PEvans Chisanga, UK
I remember way back in boarding school, we used to mime the sound of Madilu system and get down to what is called Mpaka chini(Going down to ground level)a saying in Kiswahili, it was always fun to dance to the Rumba. Oh what a tragedy for the loose of a king of Rumba.He'll always be remembered in the African typical collection.Douglas Komakech, Birmingham City(United Kingom)
Madilu was and will remain a great person in Congolese music. I will always remember him and his song YA JEAN.Jean Paul Mugabowishema, Kigali Rwanda
Madilu sung rumba of his own class, he can only be compared with Franco's music. I don't like rumba but his music is the only music I collected from among the rumba artists.MHSRIP Martin Malasha, Ndola Zambia
Madilu's music, is what I call music. His voice synchronised with Franco Luambo's in TPOK Jazz, was the best I have ever heard in Rumba.He continued his musical journey after the death of Franco, and it was worth it to have followed it.His singing was mature, inspiring and heart-soothing. I didn't understand the language but one Zambian explained the lyrics of his music on Radio 5fm in Lusaka, and it was so interesting.I like Madilu's voice and tune, and I know that his lyrics are as good, after all. When I first understood the lyrics of some of his songs, I even started liking Madilu's music even more. His contribution to TPOK Jazz, is unmistakable, and one of the most important contributions to the development of music on the African Continent.We have lost another of Africa's giant musical legends, natural singer, free of the computerised music effects, which makes music boring. Madilu Systeme -Truly Africa singer! Long live his music!Joseph Nyirenda, Kitwe, Zambia
