Charles Ndombasi Lassa

Charles Ndombasi Lassa (15 January 1961 – 31 August 2026), known professionally as Carlyto Lassa, Carlito, or Carlitto, was a Congolese singer, songwriter, guitarist, and later evangelical pastor. He was known for his work in Congolese rumba, particularly with TPOK Jazz and Choc Stars. and was known for performing hits such as "Maya" by Lutumba and "Le Bon Samaritain" (1984) by Papa Noël Nedulé. The following year, he joined Choc Stars and contributed to hits including Ben Nyamabo's "Riana" (1986), Roxy Tshimpaka's "Jardin de mon cœur" (1986), Debaba's "Zikondo" (1986), and his own composition "Mauvais Souvenir Bwana" (1986). He later pursued a solo career, releasing the album Africa Na Moto in 1996, which featured the hit "Makolo ya massiya".

Early life and career Charles Ndombasi Lassa was born on 15 January 1961 in what is now Kongo Central province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He grew up in Matadi, where he worked as a tailor before pursuing music professionally. In 1978, at the age of 17, he attracted the attention of baritone singer Gérard Madiata and, subsequently, bassist Celi Bitshou while he was with Tout Choc Oka.

Lassa joined TPOK Jazz in 1984, after Bitshou introduced him to Simaro Lutumba. Carlyto's arrival strengthened TPOK Jazz's roster of vocalists and coincided with a successful period for the group's Kinshasa-based wing. Lutumba and guitarist Papa Noël Nedulé particularly admired his distinctive "honey-like" voice. Other musicians on the recording included bassist Flavien Makabi, mi-solo guitarist Rodeo, Papa Noël Nedule, tumba drummer Henri "Micorason" Weteto-Sasa, and saxophonist Empompo Deyesse. That same year, Lassa recorded his debut album Pangala, released through Rythmes et Musique and later joined Ben Nyamabo's Choc Stars. Starting from the following year, Lassa provided lead vocals on Choc Stars hits including Nyamabo's "Riana" (1986) and composed the tracks "Mauvais Souvenir Bwana" (1986), "Ngonda" (1988) and "Premier Amour" (1989).

Lassa's album Africa Na Moto was released in 1996 through Syllart Records, a Paris-based label specializing in African and Afro-Latin music founded by Senegalese producer Ibrahima Sylla. Lassa arranged and co-produced the album with Nado Kakoma.

Death Lassa died from a heart attack in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 31 August 2026, at the age of 65. He had travelled to the United States to participate in an evangelization campaign on 29 and 30 August. His death was confirmed by his pastoral community, and subsequently reported by Congolese media.

It prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the Congolese music and Christian communities. Reddy Amisi remembered him as "a talented artist who made his mark on our music", Werrason accentuated Lassa's influence on successive generations of Congolese musicians, and gospel singer Teddy Diso hailed him as a "great master". Kool Matope, recalling their shared musical projects, described the loss as particularly painful, writing, "We still had so much to accomplish". Aimé Nkanu paid tribute to his "friend and brother", Franck Mulaja remembered "a voice that will forever mark the history of Congolese music", and Anne Keps honored the memory of a voice that had marked Congolese music. The Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Yolande Elebe Ma Ndembo, likewise stated that "his voice has fallen silent, but his work remains in our collective memory".

Discography

Albums Pangala (1985) Africa Na Moto (1996) La Reconnaissance (2001) Confiance – Kili Kili Azongi (2004, with Golly Imengo)