Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, known professionally as Koffi Olomidé, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, producer, and founder of Quartier Latin International. Often referred to as the "King of Ndombolo", he is noted for his explosive high notes, deep baritone, and offbeat voice. Agbepa is considered one of the most significant figures in 20th-century Congolese and African popular music. His lyrics often explore themes of love, politics, technology, success, infidelity, religion, chicanery, and disillusionment. Through his music and stage performances, he introduced the slower style of soukous known as Tcha Tcho and popularized a flamboyant fashion subculture called La Sape, alongside Papa Wemba.
Ndombolo, also known as dombolo, is a genre of dance music originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Derived from soukous in the 1990s, with fast-paced hip-swaying dance rhythms, often accompanied by upbeat, percussion-driven music, the style became widespread in the mid-1990s and the subsequent decade, dominating dancefloors in central, eastern, and western Africa. It inspired West African popular music, coupé-décalé, Kuduro, and East African dance music.
Daphne Njie Efundem known as Daphne, is a Cameroonian singer. She began her career in 2013 and released her first single entitled Rastafari the following year but gained international recognition in 2017 with her track Calée. She released an album entitled Here to Stay in 2016 and a dozen singles.
Louis Albert William Longomba, known professionally as Awilo Longomba, is a Congolese soukous singer, composer, drummer, songwriter, dancer, and producer. The third son of Vicky Longomba and maternal uncle of French player Claude Makélélé, William is known for his avant-garde "techno-soukous" and performances.
Barbara Kanam Mutund, known professionally as Barbara Kanam, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, music producer, actress, philanthropist, and currently serves as the Director General of the Cultural Promotion Fund of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She sings in French, Swahili, Lingala, and English.
Fally Ipupa N'simba, known professionally as Fally Ipupa, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, philanthropist, guitarist, and producer. Often referred to as the "Prince of Rumba", he is noted for his tenor vocals as well as his blend of contemporary and traditional Congolese music genres, including Congolese rumba, soukous, and ndombolo. His lyrics often cover themes of romance, suffering, and joy.
Stanley Ebai Enow is a Cameroonian rapper, and music producer. He is the co-owner of the record label, Motherland Empire. Enow is best known for his 2013 single "Hein Père". He was the first Cameroonian to win in the Best New Act category at the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards.
Innocent Didace Balume, known professionally as Innoss'B, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, rapper, percussionist, dancer, and philanthropist. Often referred to as the "Jeune Leader," he is renowned for pioneering the AfroCongo music genre, an eclectic fusion of Congolese rumba, indigenous folklore, and ndombolo.
Hervé Gola Bataringe, known professionally as Ferré Gola, and alternatively spelled as Ferre Gola, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Revered as the "Jésus de Nuances", he is regarded as one of the most significant figures of the fifth-generation Congolese rumba. His lyrics predominantly revolve around themes of love, social support, and interpersonal relationships.
Tokooos is the fourth studio album by Congolese singer Fally Ipupa. It was released on July 7, 2017, by Elektra France, Warner Music France. After having established himself as a continental superstar singer in Africa with his first three albums solos, all produced by David Monsoh, Fally now wanted to open up to the French and more generally Western record market. Ipupa will be signed in 2013 by Julien Creuzard on the AZ label. But in 2016, Julien Creuzard left AZ to found the new label Elektra France, Fally is now under the label Elektra France.
Raymond Shaban, better known by his stage name Rayvanny, is a Tanzanian musician, songwriter and recording artist who was signed under WCB Wasafi record label until July 2022. He was born and raised in Nzovwe ward of Mbeya city, located in Mbeya Region. He is the most successful bongo flava musician in Tanzania from Mbeya region. His songs are mainly in Swahili. He is the founder and CEO of Next Level Music. Rayvanny is best known by his song "Kwetu", which introduced him to the world. Rayvanny was mentioned by MTV Base among "Acts To Look Out For" in 2017.
Jean-Désiré Dimitri Sosso Dzabatou, better known by his stage name Naza, is a French rapper and singer of Congolese descent. He is signed to Bomayé Musik and has released three albums, Incroyable (2017), C'est la loi (2018) and Bénef (2019). And is known to make songs with his best friend french rapper KeBlack
Mwila Musonda, known professionally as Slapdee, is a Zambian hip hop and rap musician. Having won multiple awards since his debut in 2006, he is often regarded one of the pioneers of Zambian hip-hop.
"Olingi Nini" is a song recorded by Congolese singer Gaz Mawete that was a massive huge success for his career and gain over 4.3 million views on YouTube.
The 8th African Muzik Magazine Awards ceremony was held on 12 December 2021, virtually with the theme, "Flavors of Africa". The awards celebrated African music and African artists. The nominees were announced on 4 October 2021. Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz and Tayc received the most nominations with six each, ahead of Wizkid, Fally Ipupa and Dadju, who were tied for the second-most nominations with five nods each.
Prince Nemiala, better known mononymously by his stage name YaLevis Dalwear or simply Ya Levis, is a Congolese vocalist, songwriter, and choreographer. He is known for his mellifluous ndombolo and African rumba ballads. He rose to prominence with hits like "Mokolo ya l'amour," "Libala," "Katchua," and "Mbangu Te," and has been making waves in the Congolese and African music industry.
Mongala Akelembi, professionally known as Robinio Mundibu, is a Congolese singer, songwriter and dancer. Akelembi began his career as a protégé of Do Akongo and later worked with Tutu Caludji, an ex-singer of Wenge Musica BCBG. In 2009, he joined Wenge Musica Maison Mère before branching out as a solo artist in 2014 with his debut singles "Vantard" and "Mbonzimbonzi". In the following year, he released four singles "Ye Yo Ok", "Etirette", "Zuwa", and "Compliqué".
Deborah Tshimpaka Mulanga, known professionally as Rebo Tchulo, is a Congolese singer-songwriter and dancer. She began her music career as a gospel singer. In 2017, Tshimpaka signed a record deal with Ferré Gola's FG Production label. She rose to prominence after releasing several hit singles including "Coeur Fragile", "Ni Nani", and "Biloko".
Joé Ngoie Mwema, known professionally as RJ Kanierra, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, rapper, and dancer. He is regarded as one of the most significant figures in 21st-century Katangese music. His musical style blends Congolese rhythm and harmony with rap, a synthesis he calls "Rotatam Style."
