Kinshasa, October 23rd, 2025 (CPA). – The Congolese musician Ricky-Léon Likabu, founding president of the group ‘Staff Benda Bilili’, an orchestra composed mainly of people with disabilities, has died in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following an illness, has announced one of his colleagues on Thursday, contacted by the CPA. « It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Ricky Léon Likabu, music director and founding president of the group Staff Benda Bilili, who died yesterday at the N’djili General Hospital following an illness. Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, his companions, and all those he inspired, » has declared Yves Tungila, coordinator of the Karibu association.
« An iconic figure on the Congolese music scene, Ricky passed away after devoting his life to touching hearts and promoting the values of courage, brotherhood and self-improvement, from the streets of Kinshasa to the international stage, where he embodied the soul of Staff Benda Bilili. His voice, vision and commitment enabled a group born in adversity to become a symbol of hope and creativity under his leadership, » he has added, before specifying that the body of the deceased is being kept at the morgue of the N’djili General Hospital while awaiting the funeral arrangements. He pointed out that Ricky was also a man on a mission who worked to educate people with disabilities and reunite street children with their families. ‘His passing marks a dark chapter in the group’s history, but his legacy calls on us to continue, through his compositions, his words and his memory,’ he has concluded.
Created in 2003 in Kinshasa, the Benda Bilili staff, meaning ‘look beyond appearances’ or literally ‘highlight what is hidden in the shadows’ is an orchestra whose members are mainly people with disabilities. Based in the commune of N’djili, this musical ensemble plays a variety of styles, such as rumba, jazz, reggae and others.