Siama Matuzungidi was deeply influenced by the soukous music of rural DR Congo (then known as Zaire) during his youth. He grew up in the…
“Create more positive music” – Interview With Soukous Master Siama Matuzungidi
Tag: Congolese music
Artist Profiles: Robert Maseko
Born in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and raised in the UK, Robert Maseko is part of the new wave…
Artist Profiles: M’bilia Bel
Soukous singer M’bilia Bel, known as the Queen of Congolese rumba, was born in 1959 and brought up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.…
Artist Profiles: Lokua Kanza
Lokua Kanza was born in Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (former Zaire). His father is one of the Mongo people, known for…
Artist Profiles: Kiala Nzavotunga
Afrobeat master Kiala Nzavotunga is a founding member of the band Ghetto Blaster (1984 – 2006) and Fela Kuti’s band. Kiala Nzavotunga was born in…
Artist Profiles: Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba was born Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba in Kazai, in the former Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo). From humble village beginnings in…
Artist Profiles: African Fiesta
African Fiesta was a Congolese soukous group started by Tabu Ley Rochereau and Dr. Nico in 1963. Tabu Ley left the group in 1965 to…
Artist Profiles: Affro-Muzika
Affro-Muzika played soukous music. Led by Congolese singer-dancer-composer Shimita El Diego and fiery electric guitarist Nene Tchakou, the group included a dance crowd-friendly rhythm section…
Artist Profiles: Abby Surya Djai
Abby Surya, from Kinshasa (D. R. Congo) started her career in 1984, alongside the well known Congolese female singer Abeti Masikini. The Redoutable, name of…
Bel, Bel…
M’Bilia Bel – Belissimo (Sterns AfricaTCD1098, 2004) M’Bilia first came to prominence in the 1970s as vocal sidekick and wife of the top Zairian [Congolese]…