Youlou Mabiala

Gilbert Youlou Mabiala (born 6 March 1947), known professionally as Prince Youlou, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, and guitarist. Known for his high-pitched voice, He began his musical career in 1962 with the Brazzaville vocal group Les Griots and, in 1963, joined the vocal club Les Mains Blanches. In 1963, he joined a vocal club called Les Mains Blanches, whose performances were broadcast on national radio. Before that, in 1962, he had spent seven months with the vocal group Les Griots of Brazzaville, which marked the beginning of his musical career. Their debut performance took place on 7 August 1977 at the Ciné Vog in downtown Brazzaville, with accompaniment by the band Super Boboto (SBB). The choir was provided by Evelyne Ngongolo and Emille Maimouna Berete of the "Amies Cadettes". Michel, who had joined Les Bantous de la Capitale during rehearsals, did not participate in this first show. On 15 August 2005, he was admitted to Loandjili Hospital in Pointe-Noire and later transferred to the University Hospital of Brazzaville's neurology department. He eventually pursued further treatment in Paris, where he remained for nearly two decades. After nineteen consecutive years abroad for medical care, he returned to Brazzaville on 25 June 2023. When interviewed by Les Dépêches de Brazzaville on 2 July, he was still facing minor speech challenges but was steadily improving.

Personal life Youlou married Hélène Luambo, one of the late Franco Luambo's daughters, widely known as Mama Leni. According to Youlou, it was Franco who gave him the sobriquet "Le Prince".

Discography +Selected discographyTitleYearLabelRemarks Side A: "Cardiaque"

Side B: "Pension Na Bandalungwa"1971 Produced by – Editions Populaires Distributed by – Fiesta (7) Series: Editions Populaires (Fiesta)Vinyl – with TPOK Jazz Side A: "Nzube Oleka Te" Side B: "Motema Na Yo Retroviseur"1972 Produced by – Editions Populaires Distributed by – Fiesta (7)Vinyl – with TPOK Jazz Side A: "Lema 1" Side B: "Lema 2"1976 Produced by – Editions Somo Somo Label: Afro-Disc Distributed by – Soul Posters Vinyl – with Somo Somo Side A: "Boni Nkaka 1" Side B: "Boni Nkaka 2"1977 Label: Soneca Zaïre (Democratic Republic of the Congo Label: African (France) Series: Editions Populaires Vinyl – with TPOK Jazz Side A: "Papy Pt. I" Side B: "Papy Pt. II"1977Label: MamakiVinyl Side A: "Petit Cheri (1)" Side B: "Petit Cheri (2)"1978 Label: ISSE (Democratic Republic of the Congo Label: African (France)Vinyl – with Orchestre Les Trois Frères Side A: "Saley (1)" Side B: "Midi (2)"1979Label: Moninga StarVinyl – with Orchestre Les Trois FrèresLili Et Nsona (Live In Miguel "Casse Coup")1981 Tchi Tchi (France) Editions D'Ivoire (Kenya)LPKeba Na Matraque1981 Label: Edipop Production Label: I.A.D. (Republic of the Congo)LPCouper-Soucis. Otikali! Otikali!1984 Label: Publi-Son Printed by SNA Design: Théophile Mougemba Label: Air (Kenya) Label: Editions FrancAfrique (Kenya) Label: Tshondo Editions (Zambia)LP – with Kamikaze Loningisa Side A: "Citron (1)" Side B: "Citron (2)"1985Label: Parions-CongoVinyl – with Kamikaze LoningisaSentimental 1 (5ème Anniversaire)1985 Label: I.A.D. (Republic of the Congo) Manufactured by – Usine I.A.D./Congo Produced for – Matsima & Labo-Export