Konono N°1’s Augustin Mawangu Mingiedi Dead at 56

Augustin Mawangu Mingiedi, frontman of the Congolese ensemble Konono N°1, has died. He was 56. The group revealed that Mingiedi died on October 16 after “he’d been ill for several months” due to complications from diabetes. “We are devastated,” the band wrote, “But Konono N°1 are indestructible, and we’ve been continuing to work and perform.” Augustin took over as the band’s leader in 2015 when his father and Konono founder, Mingiedi Mawangu, died. The group announced that Augustin’s own son, Makonda, will now front the band and become the lead likembe player.

Vincent Kenis, who produced all of the band’s studio albums, shared this tribute in a statement:

His brilliant and bold playing, his stage presence, his humor and high spirits graced many projects, among which Herbie Hancock’s multi-awarded Imagine, Björk’s Volta, a collaboration with Angolan artist Batida, and the "Congotronics vs Rockers" extravaganza, of which he was an essential element. It's a great honor for me to have worked with him.