Pierre Mandjeku Lengo (Dizzy Mandjeku)

Full name	Pierre Mandjeku Lengo
Date of birth	1946
Country	Congolese

The guitarist Pierre Mandjeku Lengo, known as Dizzy Mandjeku, born in 1946, is regarded as a living legend within the Congolese rumba movement. Before joining the famous Orchestre OK Jazz led by Franco Luambo Makiadi in the 1960s and 1970s, Dizzy had already established several bands in his home country. He was an "ace soloist" who played with groups such as Conga 68, Orchestra Veve, Orchestra Bella Bella, Orchestra Kossa Kossa, and Afrisa International, among others. Dizzy Mandjeku strove early in his career to play like Dr. Nico, one of the biggest names in African music, before developing his own style. In the early 1980s, he joined Franco's T.P.O.K. Jazz, becoming a key member of the orchestra, and also co-founded the African All Stars alongside Sam Mangwana, Nyboma, and Lokassa Ya Mbongo, serving as its musical director for three albums considered soukous milestones.

After Franco's passing in Brussels in 1989, Dizzy Mandjeku was entrusted with the artistic direction of the remaining members, and he stayed in Brussels, dedicated to continuing Franco's work and the unique sound of traditional Congolese rumba, also known as 'Odemba'. He later founded Odemba OK All Stars for this purpose. Dizzy has since remained an indispensable part of the Congolese musical community, working alongside figures like Papa Noël, Papa Wemba, Tshala Muana, and Verckys. He has also collaborated with contemporary artists such as Zap Mama, Stromae (recording "Papaoutai" in 2013), Waldemar Bastos, Milow, and Baloji, and participated in international projects like the one with the Afro-Colombian band Alé Kumá, which led to the album De Palenque à Matongé.