This is a list of musicians and musical groups from the

Democratic Republic of Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DRC, the DROC, or the Congo, and formerly and also colloquially Zaire, is a country in ...

(formerly Zaire). *

Abeti Masikini Elisabeth Finant (9 November 1954 – 28 September 1994), known professionally as Abeti Masikini, was a singer from the Belgian Congo who was active in France from 1971 until her death in 1994 at the age of 39. Her music pulled from a variety of g ...

African Fiesta African or Africans may refer to: * Anything from or pertaining to the continent of Africa: ** People who are native to Africa, descendants of natives of Africa, or individuals who trace their ancestry to indigenous inhabitants of Africa *** Ethn ...

Aurlus Mabélé Aurlus Mabélé (24 October 1953 – 19 March 2020) was a Congolese singer and composer. He was commonly referred to as the "King of Soukous". Biography Aurlus Mabélé, real name Benoit Aurélien Miatsonama, was born on 24 October 1953 in Br ...

* Avelino *

Awilo Longomba Awilo Longomba is a Congolese soukous musician. At first a drummer in Viva la Musica, Stukas, Nouvelle Generation and Loketo, he left drumming for singing and released his first album ''Moto Pamba'' with help from Shimita, Ballou Canta, Dindo ...

Bimi Ombale Bimi Ombale (21 July 1952- 29 April 2011, born Andre Bimi Ombale, also known as Andre Bimi, Bimi Ombale, Mwana Wabi) was a Congolese singer, drummer and songwriter. He was a member of the band Zaiko Langa Langa from 1969 to 1988 and its most s ...

Bisso Na Bisso Bisso Na Bisso ( ln, Between Us) is a music collective of rappers and singers with origins from Congo Brazzaville formed in 1999. The group consisting of Ben-J (from Les Neg'Marrons), Lino and Calbo (from the group Ärsenik), Doc and G Kill (from ...

Bouro Mpela Gecko Bouro Mpela, also known as Bouro Mpela (born 5 August 1975), is a soukous singer, dancer, and performer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was a member of the Quartier Latin International band, which was founded and led by Koffi ...

* Bozi Boziana *

Cindy Le Coeur Cindy Le Coeur is a recording artist, singer, and dancer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is a member of the Congolese band Quartier Latin International, formed and led by musician Koffi Olomide. See also * Fally Ipupa * Bouro Mpela ...

Dadju Dadju Djuna Nsungula (; born 2 May 1991), better known by the mononym Dadju or at times Prince Dadj, is a French singer. He was signed to the label Wati B and in 2017 signed with Polydor Records of Universal Music Group. He was a member of the m ...

Damso William Kalubi Mwamba (born 10 May 1992 in Kinshasa), better known by his stage name Damso (), is a Belgian- Congolese rapper, singer, and songwriter. He is popular in France, where all of his albums were certified at least platinum. Early lif ...

Dany Engobo Dany Engobo is a Congolese musician and leader of ''Les Coeurs Brises''. He started his music career in Brazzaville. He worked with a guitar maestro Diblo Dibala in most of his songs. He moved to Paris Paris () is the capital and most p ...

* Evoloko Jocker * Diblo Dibala * Dindo Yogo *

Fabregas Fábregas (), Fàbregas or Fàbregues () is a Catalan surname, deriving from any of the places in Barcelona province named Fàbregues, from the plural of ''Fàbrega'' (forge). Bearers of the surname include: * Augusto Fábrega, former Ambassador ...

Fally Ipupa Fally Ipupa N'simba (born December 14, 1977), known by his stage name Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, guitarist and producer. From 1999 until 2006, he was a member of Quartier Latin International, the music ...

Ferré Gola Ferré Gola, also Ferre Gola, whose full name is Hervé Gola Bataringe, is a DR Congolese recording artist. He at one time was a member of legendary Congolese bands, Wenge Musica Maison Mère and Quartier Latin International. Background He was ...

Gaz Mawete Gael Kapia Mawete (born September 30, 1991), known professionally as Gaz Mawete is a Congolese singer-songwriter and dancer originally from Democratic Republic of the Congo he's also known for his song " ''Olingi Nini''" that went viral on YouT ...

Gibson Butukondolo Jipson Butukondolo is a composer, vocalist, and entertainer in the band Quartier Latin International. The band is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was founded and is led by Congolese musician Koffi Olomide. Overview Some of the hits ...

Grand Kalle Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor * Grand Mixer DXT, American turntablist * Grand Puba (born 1966), American rapper Places * Grand, Oklahoma * Grand, Vosges, village and commun ...

Héritier Watanabe Héritier Bondongo Kabeya (born 29 August 1982), known by his stage name as Héritier Watanabe is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer from Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo. He started singing at age of 10. he was a member of Wenge Mus ...

INNOSS'B Innocent Balume, known by his stage name Innoss’B, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, rapper, percussionist, and dancer from Goma, Congo DRC. In addition to adapting modern styles like Afrobeats and hip-hop, Innoss'B is a skilled djembe player. ...

Iyenga Esther Iyenga Mboyo, better known as Iyenga (born in Equateur, Democratic Republic of Congo) is a Congolese singer-songwriter. She was spotted by producer Zola Tempo, who integrated her into his label Sabab Music, where she published her fi ...

Jean Bosco Mwenda Jean-Bosco Mwenda, also known as Mwenda wa Bayeke (1930 – September 1990), was a pioneer of Congolese fingerstyle acoustic guitar music. He was also popular in other African countries, particularly in East Africa, and in the late 1950s and early ...

Jessy Matador Jessy Kimbangi (), better known by his stage name Jessy Matador, is a France, French-Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congolese singer. Biography Matador began his career as a dancer in 2001. He later joined the group "Les cœurs brisés" (Th ...

Jimmy Omonga Jimmy Omonga is a singer and songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the D ...

Josky Kiambukuta Londa Joseph Kiambukuta Londa, known as Josky Kiambukuta, (14 February 1949 – 7 March 2021) was a Congolese performing artist, singer, songwriter and composer. As a member of TPOK Jazz he played alongside Franco during their most popular period in ...

Kalash Criminel Amira Kiziamina, known better by his stage name Kalash Criminel, is a French rapper. He is albino and chooses to wear a balaclava, because when his musical activities began, he had to hide his face as his mother did not want him to rap. However, ...

Kanda Bongo Man Kanda Bongo Man (born Bongo Kanda; 1955) is a Congolese soukous musician. Kanda Bongo Man was born in Inongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He became the singer for Orchestra Belle Mambo in 1973, developing a sound influenced by Tabu Ley. H ...

Kasai Allstars Kasai Allstars are a 25-piece musical collective based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The musicians originally come from the Kasai region, but originating from five different ethnic groups: the Songye, Lulua, Tetela, Luba, and L ...

Kaysha Kaysha (born 1974) is a singer/rapper and producer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is the son of Congolese politician Édouard Mokolo Wa Mpombo. Career He was born in Kinshasa but emigrated to France with his parents at the age of ...

Keblack Cédric Matéta Nkomi (born in Creil, Oise, France on 30 January 1992) better known by the stage name KeBlack is a French rapper and singer of Congolese origin. He is signed to the Bomayé Musik label. Keblack displayed interested in music at ...

Kékélé Kekele was a band formed in 2000, composed of leading veteran African musicians, mostly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They played Congolese rumba in a revival style harkening back to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, using acoustic guitars. Ke ...

King Kester Emeneya Jean Baptiste Emeneya Mubiala Kwamambu (November 23, 1956 – February 13, 2014) was a Congolese singer best known as King Kester Emeneya. He was born in Kikwit within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While being a student of political scie ...

Koffi Olomide Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba (13 July 1956), known professionally as Koffi Olomidé, is a Congolese Soukus singer, dancer, producer, and composer. He has had several gold records in his career. He is the founder of the Quartier Latin Internati ...

Konono Nº1 Konono Nº1 is a musical group from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are known for their DIY aesthetic, combining electric likembé (a traditional instrument similar to the mbira) with vocals, dancers, and percussion instruments ...

* Kasaloo Kyanga *

LU KALA Lusamba Vanessa Kalala (born July 21, 1995), better known as Lu Kala (stylized in all caps), is a Congolese-Canadian singer. Career Kala performed at the Canadian Music Week in 2019 where she performed her debut single, "DCMO (Don't Count Me ...

* Langa Langa Stars * Le Grand Kalle *

Lokua Kanza Lokua Kanza (born April 1958) is a singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is known for his soulful, folksy sound. Biography Lokua Kanza was born Pascal Lokua Kanza in Bukavu in the province of Sud-Kivu, in the eastern p ...

* Madilu Système *

Maître Gims Gandhi Bilel Djuna (; born 6 May 1986), better known by his stage name Maître Gims () and more recently just Gims (, ; sometimes stylized as GIMS), is a Congolese-French rapper, singer and songwriter. He grew up in France and currently lives i ...

Marie Daulne Marie Daulne (born 20 October 1964) is a Belgian singer. Daulne was born in Isiro, Haut-Uele District, Democratic Republic of the Congo to a Belgian who was killed that same year by Simba rebels, and to a local Congolese woman. Daulne and her ...

* Marie Misamu * Mayaula Mayoni * Mbongwana Star *

M'bilia Bel M'bilia Bel (born January 10, 1959) is a rumba and world music singer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She is known as the "Queen of Congolese and African Rumba". She rose to fame after first being discovered by Sam Manguana and later ...

* Michel Boyibanda *

Mohombi Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo (born 17 October 1986) is a Congolese-Swedish musician, singer, composer and dancer. He grew up in Norsborg and Kista near Stockholm. Mohombi was RedOne's first signing to 2101 Records in joint venture with Universal Mu ...

Mose Fan Fan Mose Se Sengo ("Fan Fan") (16 October 1945 – 3 May 2019) was a guitarist, composer and band-leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He was one of the pioneers of Congolese Soukous. Background Mose Se Sengo, was born in present-day Kins ...

* M'Pongo Love *

Naza The Naza Group of Companies is a Malaysians, Malaysian business Conglomerate (company), conglomerate involved in many types of business ranging from motoring to education. The group began operations in 1975 as a motor trading company. The mo ...

Ndombe Opetum Ndombe Opetum (March 3, 1944 – May 24, 2012), popularly known as Pepe Ndombe, was an Odemba recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He was once a member of the seminal soukous band TPOK Jazz ...

Nico Kasanda Naftiran Intertrade Company limited (NICO) is a Swiss-based subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). NICO is a general contractor for the oil and gas industry. NIOC buys the vast majority of Iran's gasoline imports. NICO is a key pl ...

Ninho William Nzobazola better known by his stage name Ninho (; born 2 April 1996)Papa Wemba Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba (14 June 1949 – 24 April 2016), known professionally as Papa Wemba (), was a Congolese singer and musician who played Congolese rumba, soukous, and ndombolo. Dubbed the "King of Rumba Rock", he was one of the ...

Pepe Kalle Pepe is a pet form of the Spanish name José (Josep). It is also a surname. * People Mononyms *Pepe (footballer, born 1935), real name José Macia, Brazilian footballer *Pepe (footballer, born 1983), real name Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, ...

and

Empire Bakuba Empire Bakuba is an influential soukous band that formed in Zaire (now Democratic Republic of the Congo) in 1972. The name of the band refers to the Bakuba Kingdom; it is sometimes reported as Empire Bakuba du Grand Kalle, in honor of Grand Kalle, ...

Ray Lema Raymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga (born 30 March 1946), known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese (DRC) musician. A pianist, guitarist, and songwriter, he settled in France in 1982.

Sam Mangwana Sam, SAM or variants may refer to: Places * Sam, Benin * Sam, Boulkiemdé, Burkina Faso * Sam, Bourzanga, Burkina Faso * Sam, Kongoussi, Burkina Faso * Sam, Iran * Sam, Teton County, Idaho, United States, a populated place People and fictional ...

Singuila Bedaya Singuila N'Garo (born 19 September 1977 in Suresnes), better known by his stage name Singuila (), is a French singer of Congolese and Central African origins. Singuila means "thank you" in Sango, a main language spoken in Central Africa ...

Tabu Ley Rochereau Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu (13 November 1940 – 30 November 2013), better known as Tabu Ley Rochereau, was a leading African rumba singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was the leader of ''Orchestre Afrisa Internation ...

Werrason Noël Ngiama Makanda known professionally as Werra Son, is a Congolese musician December 25, 1965 in Moliambo, a small village in western DRC, in Kikwit region, Kwilu District. Werrason is one of the founding members of musical band Weng ...

Youlou Mabiala Gilbert Youlou Mabiala (born 3 March 1947), popularly known as Prince Youlou, is a Congo music recording artist, composer and vocalist, in the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). He was once a member of the Congo Music band TPOK Jazz which ...

Yxng Bane Larry Cummings Kiala, better known by his stage name Yxng Bane (pronounced "young bane"), is a British rapper, singer and songwriter from East London. Early and personal life Kiala grew up in Custom House, an industrial district of East London' ...

Youssoupha Youssoupha Mabiki (born August 29, 1979), better known by his nickname Youssoupha () is a French rapper of Congolese descent. Early life and career He was born to a Congolese father, the musician and Congo-Kinshasa political figure Tabu Ley Ro ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Democratic Republic of the Congo musicians

Musicians A musician is a person who composes, conducts, or performs music. According to the United States Employment Service, "musician" is a general term used to designate one who follows music as a profession. Musicians include songwriters who wri ...

Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DRC, the DROC, or the Congo, and formerly and also colloquially Zaire, is a country in ...