In 2023, Ayra Starr released a smash hit, ‘Sability’, which drew heavily from Awilo Longomba’s 1998 Soukous classic, ‘Coupé Bibamba’.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Congolese singer and drummer, Louis Albert William Longomba, better known as Awilo Longomba, and Nigerian Afrobeats star, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, aka Ayra Starr, have finally met years after the latter’s 2023 hit song brought back the veteran artist’s 1998 Soukous classic into the spotlight.
The duo crossed paths for the first time in person during the Africa Connect concert held in Lusaka, Zambia, over the weekend.
The emotional reunion has roots in a musical connection that began in 2023 when Ayra Starr’s smash hit “Sability” drew heavily from Awilo Longomba’s 1998 Soukous classic “Coupé Bibamba”, incorporating a prominent sample and interpolation of the legendary track.
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The Afrobeats song introduced an entirely new generation of listeners to Awilo’s music, reigniting global interest in the Congolese icon’s catalogue more than two decades after the original was released.
As seen in a clip of their meeting, which later made the rounds, the veteran Congolese musician had a warm reaction after coming face-to-face with the Nigerian artist.
Awilo Longomba, who was visibly moved upon seeing Ayra Starr, warmly referred to her as his “daughter”, and the exchange quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the event.
The meeting, which came three years after Ayra Starr’s song was released, and Awilo’s reaction melted the hearts of many netizens across various social media platforms.
