Legendary R&B/Hip-Hop Artists from New York were caught by surprise when Ms. April Robbins-Bobyn, proprietress of ARB Consulting Group, who organized the special occasion to honor the Artists, announced the presence of crowned Queen Diambi Kabatusuila, Traditional female King of the Bakwa Indu People of Central Kasaï, D.R. Congo. The New Jack City Reunion concert which presented the opportunity to bring everyone together for this notable occasion at the Apollo was organized by Teddy Riley (Edward Theodore Riley). Teddy Riley is a notable American singer, songwriter, record producer and multi-instrumentalist credited with the creation of the New Jack Swing genre as well as the man behind successful Grammy award-winning R&B classic "No Diggity" -- and Michael Jackson's "Dangerous" album and hits like Johnny Kemp's "Just Got Paid," Wreckx-N-Effect's "Rump Shaker" and Hi-Five's "I Like the Way (The Kissing Game). Teddy Riley got very emotional during the Press conference at the Apollo theater on December 9, 2018 – when the Queen announced that nine Rap entertainers on the program were going to be ordained as real African Chiefs, with proclamation, hats, beads, and staffs. Riley had no idea when he titled his comeback concert at the Apollo, “The Kings & Queens of New Jack Swing with Teddy Riley,” that he was going to receive a well-deserved original honor in true African customs and Traditions from the motherland. It was a surprise for all of the following artists present who later performed on the ninth of December 2018 at the Apollo:
Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, DJ D-Nice, Leanne “Lelee” Lyons, Cheryl “Coko” Clemons and Tamara “Taj” George of SWV, Blackstreet, Damion Hall, Dave Hollister, Teddy Riley; Aaron Hall; Damion Hall, MC Lyte, Keith Sweat, FreshKool, Queen Peen, Doug E. Fresh, Lil Vicious, DJ D Nice, Erik B et al.
Many years have passed since some of these entertainers released a hit record. Therefore, having a concert to mark the 30th anniversary at the Apollo was a great idea of revival, and a home-return for some of the artists. They were all very emotional about the whole ocassion as reflected in their speeches, and their fans could see that during the press conference at noon as well as during their performance on the stage in the evening. Much has changed in time, but for them, their commitment to the music, the lyrics, the message, the art, and the people remain the same. Nevertheless, more importantly, is the future that lies ahead for them.
It is hard not to be convinced that there was a spiritual revival unfolding, and it may very well be that Teddy Riley was the man to jump start it. His New Jack Swing is a fusion of hip-hop and R&B. With the new opportunity opening with Africa, there is a fuller possibility for more collaboration. Queen Diambi said, I am here to honor some fantastic people today, and I want them to know that the reach of their art, touches far beyond, all the way to the belly and heart of Africa. She said that the rap and RnB music brought joy and hope to the people in time of despair. She inferred that the spirit that inspired Rap is from the ancestors and RAP signifies – Real African People. She said that Rap is about healing.
Rap is about carrying on the touch and traditions of our forefathers. She said the ancestors are Luba, Ashanti, Yoruba, Mande, Sene, Massai, Igbo, Hausa, Fula. Therefore, the chieftaincy is giving back what is rightfully yours; it is the power of your ancestors. It is your right to return, and you are welcome back! Damien Hall retorted, “I am a whole other person now. I am a chief!
The staff is about 6ft tall, made from natural tree and spiritually blessed. On top of the staffs are various animal carvings, which have different meanings. One of the staffs has a SANKOFA symbol, which means "return and get it." Sankofa is a symbol of importance of learning from the past.
Queen Diambi Kabatusuila, is also the president of African Views organization, a nonprofit entity in partnership with the United Nations which focuses on cultural sustainability and cultural harmony. She brings a lot of the much-needed healing to Africans in Diaspora as well as harmony and peace to the whole society. She was made an honorary Mayor and given the key of the City of Baton Rouge as well as bestowed citizenship of Baker township in Louisiana specifically for engaging the African Diaspora through the partner organization, the Umoja Institute. She is also the head of FOCABE, a nonprofit organization that works directly on conflict resolutions and helping to develop scalable water facility for the underserved and conflict zones in the Congo. The crowned Queen Diambi Kabatusuila Wa Tshiyoyo Muata represents the Bakwa Indu of Dimbelege Kasaï in the Congo. The Kasai region is of Luba Origin. The Luba traces their origins back to the Luba empire based in Katanga, as is the case with most of the surrounding peoples the social system of the Bakwa Luntu is patriarchal. A female king thus defies the odds. This shed a light on who the Queen is.
Three fundamental laws rule the Bakwa Luntu, and Mukwa Luntu society: 1 The birthright; 2 the exogamy; 3 the law of solidarity. The Bakwa Luntu also have their penal code to repress infractions of customary law. Every male is, however, the proprietor of his arms, implements, furniture, products of culture, and generally all movable estate; so also, each wife is the proprietor of her household implements. The land belongs to the clan, i.e., the collectivity of the living and dead, descending from a common ancestor, often eponym. The living has only a right of usufruct on the lands they inhabit and cultivate.
Teddy Riley said, "I do not say fans, I say my friends. Harlem is my home," "I am a little disappointed because everybody is not able to make it to see, especially ones that's not with us today. Many my friends, they passed away before 30. That is the reason why I feel like we are lucky." The queen responded, “the chieftaincy is real, and it comes with rights and same entitlement as those chiefs on the land.” “You are welcome back home.” “Having more than one choice is ok. Africa is waiting for you, and we will prepare a homecoming that fits the occasion. You are welcome back. It is your right,” she said.
Mukalenga Mukaji Wa Nkashama Wa Bakwa Luntu Wa Kasaï Wa Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa - House of the Notables bestows the Honorary Title of Chief to the following persons for their outstanding Work in the field of Artistic Creation in Music and the promotion of His African Cultural Heritage:
Teddy Riley
Chief Kabongo Mulombodi
(The Sherperd: the one who berings people together)
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Chief Kabongo Mulombodi of the Village of Tshiole of the Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is awarded to Edward Theodore Riley aka Teddy Riley
Aaron Hall
Chief Kalamba Kabatusuila
(The Vigitlant Protector)
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Chief Kalamba Kabatusuila of the Village of Bakwa Mukela of the Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo is awarded to Aaron Hall
Damion Hall
Chief Bilolo Mbumba
(The Fearless and Courageous One)
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Chief Bilolo Mbumba of the Village of Bena Katala of the Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo is awarded to Damion Hall
Doug E. Fresh
Chief Badibanga Muindila
(Guardian of Hope and Trust in the Future)
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Chief Badibanga Muindila of the Village of Bakwa Nzadi of the Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is awarded to Douglas Davis alias Doug E. Fresh
Keith Sweat
Chief Kujudi Nkuna
(Chief of Forgiveness)
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Chief Kujudi Nkuna of the Village of Tshijiba of the Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is awarded to Keith Douglas Sweat aka Keith Sweat
Kool Moe Dee
Chief Kalala Dibwe
(The Corner Stone)
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Chief Kalala Dibwe of the Village of Bakwa Indu of the Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa is awarded to Mohandas Dewese aka Kool Moe Dee
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Adviser to the Royal Court, Tshilembi (Hunter of Prosperity). The Bakwa Luntu of Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa Is awarded to Barry B. Moody aka DJ Barry B
House of the Notables Honorary Title of Adviser to the Royal Court, Tshipungulu (The Wise Owl). The Bakwa Luntu of Dimbelenge Territory of Kasaï Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa Is awarded to Willie Finch aka DJ Chill Will
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