Twikale wa Twikale

Country	Congolese

Twikale wa Twikale, popularly known as Twikale Kalonda or "Petit Pierre," was a multifaceted Congolese musician who played a defining role in the sound of Orchestra Les Mangelepa. Originally a member of Baba Gaston’s Baba National, he was part of the foundational group of musicians who split away in 1976 to form Les Mangelepa in Nairobi, Kenya. Known for his remarkable versatility, Twikale contributed as a composer and a multi-instrumentalist, proficiently handling the organ, bass, and rhythm guitars. His technical skill was particularly evident on the "Millennium" album, where he remarkably performed all three guitar parts himself. Throughout his career, his rhythmic precision supported many of the band's greatest hits, including "James Osogo" and "Malawi Zikomo." After decades of influencing the East African rumba scene, Twikale pursued solo projects and studio production work before his recent passing in April 2026.