He began his career as a singer at age 14 in Joseph Kabasela's legendary Africa Jazz orchestra. He subsequently left that orchestra and was one of the two largest figures
(along with Franco et TPOK Jazz) of the Congo/Zaire soukous rumba scene of
the late 60's through 1980s.

During the mid-90's he and his Afrisa Internationale orchestra were living in exile in the USA.

A handful of the Afrisa band members - Modero Mekanisi, Wawali Bonane, Dodo Munoko and Huit-Kilos Nseka (currently part of Ricardo Lemvo's Makina Loca ensemble) are still in the US.

Tabu Ley returned to Kinshasha in the late 1990s after the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko fell from power. He has been performing in Africa and Europe from time to time as well as serving a position as Cultural Governor for the government back home in Congo.

Discography:

Tabu Ley's recordings have been reissued on CD by various labels, primarily Syllart and Sterns.

Omona Wapi (Shanachie, 1991)
Volume 1: Ekeseni 1977/78/79/80 (P.A.V. PAV100010 , 2006)
Volume 2: Papa Do! 1980/1984 (P.A.V. PAV100011 , 2006)
with Afrisa Int.: Sorozo 1977/1978 (Syllart 823435 , 2006)
Le Seigneur Rochereau (Syllart 823418 , 2006)
with Afrisa Int: A L'olympia 1970 (Syllart 823419 , 2006)
Sacramento Avec Canta Nyboma (Syllart 823424 , 2006)
with Afrisa International 1971/1977 (Syllart 823420 , 2006)
African Fiesta National: 1964-66 (Syllart 823426 , 2006)
with Afrisa Int.: Kaful Mayay 1973-75 (Syllart 823427 , 2006)
African Fiesta National: 1966/69 (Syllart 823430 , 2006)
African Fiesta: 1968/69 (Syllart 823431 , 2006)
1971/1972/1973 (Syllart 823433 , 2006)
Tete Nakozonga: 1972-1973 (Syllart, 2006)
Classic Titles Cantos/(Syllart79001002010/18/, 2006)
The Voice Of Lightness 1961-1977, 2CD (Sterns Africa STCD3027-28, 2007)
Maloba Ya Kulutu 68/69/70 (P.A.V. PAV100009 11/7/2007
L'integral De L'olympia (Syllart 823448, 2007)
Jolie Elie (Syllart 1/21/2008)
Les Annees 70 (Syllart 8234321, 2008)
Muzina (Rounder ROUNDERCD5059, 2009)

DVDs

Tempelo Deux Rives Prod DVD, 2005