The word "Isifi" is an acronym for "Institut du Savoir Ideologique pour la Formation des Idoles", while the lokole is a traditional Congolese drum.
Isifi Lokole were a creation of Papa Wemba, who left Zaiko Langa Langa in the mid-1970s together with Evoloko Jocker, Mavuela Somo and Bozi Boziana.
Isifi Lokolo had a widespread success in Congo; their most famous hit was Amazone.
Despite this, in 1975 Papa Wemba, Somo and Boziana left to create another band called Yoka Lokole.
The original lineup of Isifi Lokole was: