Carlyto Lassa, Congolese music legend, dies at 65

Congolese music legend and evangelical pastor Carlyto Lassa, born Charles Ndombasi Lassa, has died at the age of 65. He passed away on Monday, August 31, in Cincinnati, United States, while participating in an evangelization campaign.

Lassa was a prominent figure in Congolese rumba during the 1980s, having been discovered by Gérard Madiata and later working closely with Lutumba Simaro. While he was not a formal member of the OK Jazz orchestra, he was a preferred vocalist for many composers. In 1986, he joined the Choc Stars orchestra, working alongside artists such as Bozi Boziana and Djuna Djanana. After living in France during the 1990s, he underwent a career shift in the early 2000s following his conversion to Christianity, dedicating his life to gospel music and pastoral ministry.

The news was confirmed by his pastoral community and singer Aimé Nkanu, who described him as a ‘man of faith’ and a ‘servant of God’ whose ministry and musical career left a lasting impact on many.