Congolese Soukous entertainer, Awilo Longomba has asserted that regardless of the fact that he hails from a music family and his father, Vicky Longomba was one of the biggest musicians in the second generation of Congolese music, it was not his initial dream to become a musician as it was a job that was looked down upon.
Speaking to Foster Romanus on e.TV Ghana’s Late Nite Celebrity Show, he relayed that about fifty years ago, music was not a well paying job in his country. Music was considered as a bad job and was only done by drug dealers hence, no parent dreamt of their child becoming a musician. So, like every other parent, his parents put him through school but at some point, he began to join some of his neighbourhood friends in singing and playing instruments.
The ‘Tekno Soukous’ man revealed that his decision to do music was inspired by a French saying, ‘Il n’y a pas de sot métier’ which means there is no stupid business. He said, ” All jobs are good in the world so long as you follow the discipline. You can be a mechanic or tailor but if you are serious with your job, you will succeed.”
He added that although his parents did not agree with his decision to become a musician, his father who short-lived after he started his solo career, was proud of him. With time, his mother agreed that he continue with his music career.
By: Maureen Dedei Quaye
