François Lulendo Matumona, known professionally as Defao, was a Congolese singer and songwriter born on December 31, 1958, in Léopoldville. He began his musical journey in 1976 with small groups in Kinshasa before joining Le Grand Zaïko Wawa led by guitarist Félix Manuaku in 1981. Defao released his debut album Defao à Paris in 1985 and continued to produce a series of albums, including collaborations such as "Santa" with Koffi Olomidé and "La force tranquille" featuring Pepe Kalle, Koffi Olomidé, Luciana Demingongo, and Carlyto Lassa. In 1994, his album Famille Kikuta featured the hit single "Famille Kikuta", which topped the Zaïrois charts. Defao's notable works include albums like Tremblement de terre, released in 1999, and Nessy de London, recorded in Paris during the summer of 2000. He passed away on December 27, 2021, at the age of 62 in Douala.
