Super Mazembe started in 1969 in Likasi, near Lubumbashi, DRC as Super Vox. On tour in neighbouring Zambia during 1970, the band met Nashil Pichen Kazembe, a diehard supporter of one of Zaire’s top football clubs and TP Mzembe, who impressed on the band to change its name to Mazembe (Lingala, meaning bulldozer, suggesting their music had the same earthmoving effect).
Super Mazembe ilianza mwaka 1969 huko Likasi, karibu na Lubumbashi, DRC kama Super Vox. Wakiwa katika ziara katika nchi jirani ya Zambia mwaka wa 1970, bendi ilikutana na Nashil Pichen Kazembe, mfuasi mkubwa wa moja ya vilabu vya juu vya mpira wa miguu vya Zaire na TP Mzembe, ambaye alivutia bendi hiyo kubadili jina lake na kuwa Mazembe (Lingala, ikimaanisha tingatinga, na kupendekeza muziki wao ulikuwa. athari sawa ya kusonga ardhi).