Get to Know Makoma
Written by G Njuguna on March 22, 2024
Makoma is a Christian, pop, R&B and dancemusical group originating from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and established in the Netherlands. It is made up of 6 siblings (3 brothers and 3 sisters): Nathalie Makoma, Annie Makoma, Pengani Makoma, Tutala Makoma, Duma Makoma, Martin Makoma and a non-family member, Patrick Badine. They mainly sing in Lingala and in French, Dutch and German.
The group Makoma was established by Tutala Makoma in 1993, and started performing in public as a group in 1995. The name of the band was “Nouveau Testament”[3] (translated as New Testament”).
The family left Democratic Republic of Congo formerly known as Zaire because of political strife and established in the Netherlands, later in Germany to return in 1996 to reside in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The band was renamed Makoma (the name of the family) after establishing in Europe. They record at the Westcoast Studios, also owned by Tutala Makoma in Rotterdam. Annie Makoma designs most of the group’s stage attire, and Martin Makoma doubles up as the group’s choreographer.
Their debut album was released in 2000 entitled Nzambe Na Bomoyi followed in 2002 entitled On Faith. The same year they won the Best African Group at the Kora African Music Awards. They have toured many countries including many European countries, Africa, the Caribbean and Canada.
Nathalie Makoma, born on 24 February 1982 in Kinshasa became, a well-known Dutch-Congolese singer in her own right, . Nathalie Makoma left the band and established in England and later in Ireland. She released On Faith in 2003 and I Saw the Light in 2005. In 2007-2008, she returned to the Netherlands and participated in Idols 4 in the Netherlands and finished runner-up, with the title going to Nikki Kerkhof. The group Makoma made a guest appearance on the Idols final with their sister Nathalie singing Ola Olé in English with her. She is signed to Sony BMG.
Biography
They have 4 albums that they have produced. Their first was in 1999: Nzambe na Bomoyi (Jesus For Life) which had a famous song Napesi. In 2002 Mokonzi na Bakonzi (King of Kings). Their third was in 2005 Na Nzambe Te, Na Bomoyi Te (also known as No Jesus, No Life) which had a famous song no Jesus no life. Their last was in 2012 dubbed Evolution.
