Kasaloo Kyanga

Kasaloo Kyanga was a Congolese musician, guitarist and composer. He was born on 1957 with his twin brother Kyanga Songa who died in Nairobi, Kenya in November 1999 and was buried in Thika. He died on September 9, 2011 at Mwananyamala Hospital in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania by Pleural effusion. A number of Kasaloo's compositions continue being performed by other musicians include a hit song he composed with Tancut Almasi Orchestra, Masafa Marefu. Some of his hit songs were Karubandika, Nimemkaribisha nyoka, Butinini, Kashasha, Kambwembwe.

The sad news began circulating across the city and beyond early saturday morning September 9, 2011 as veteran musician Kikumbi Mwanza Mpango Mwema or popularly known as King Kiki confirmed of tragic death. Kasaloo was suffering from Pleural effusion.

Kasaloo and his late brother Kyanga took a centre stage during the Tancut band's performance when fans were treated with the famous 'Fimbo Lugoda' and 'Kinyekinye kisonzo tisa kumi Mangala' styles. Kasaloo, who used to have first class metallic voice, arrived from the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire) in 1980 and Orchestra Matimila Band under the late Remmy Ongala was his first band to work with. He took the music world by storm for his famous compositions entitled 'Almasi', 'Bishada', 'Natoa Onyo', 'Usia' and many others. Kasaloo had combined well with another Congolese musician Skassy Kasambula to send fans wild everywhere they staged a show. Kasaloo, Kasambula and the late Semhando crossed over to Tomatoma as Kasaloo composed master hit, 'Mwanaidi'. He was later absorbed by Orchestra Marquis Original where he joined his brother Songa in one of the most effective vocal combinations. Kasaloo and Songa had their prominence and popularity hit the roof of music world as they came out with remarkable compositions such as 'Karubandika', 'Sofia', 'Clara', 'Hasira Hasara', 'Ni Wewe Pekee' and many others that won them accolades from the music fraternity across the world. As it has been the case of musicians all over the world, the vocalist duo parted ways with Marquis to open their base in Iringa with the Tancut Almasi band. 'Masafa Marefu', 'Pili Wangu', 'Tutasele', 'Kiwele' and 'Jane Butinini' (wife of Kasaloo) were some of the hits that raised their status even further in the music world. Butinini used to be a netball star who happened to be the sister of former Railways Football team from Morogoro,Duncan Butinini. The sports desk of The Guardian has been deeply shocked by the passage of the musician and wishes his soul to rest in eternal peace.