Carlyto 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. In the 1970s, Lassa performed with Singa Mwambe, Les Bourgeois, and Bisengo before joining Tout Choc Oka. He joined Franco Luambo's TPOK Jazz in 1984. He primarily worked with guitarist and composer Simaro Lutumba on solo recordings, and was known for performing hits such as "Maya" (1984) 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". After converting to Christianity, Lassa moved away from secular music and devoted himself to gospel music and evangelical ministry. His Christian recordings included La Reconnaissance (2001) and Confiance – Kili Kili Azongi (2004).