Kanda Bongo Man, will always stand out as one of the greatest rhumba artistes to emerge from Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo).
Born in 1955 in Inongo, Kanda grew up with a strong passion for music such that it did not come as a surprise to many of his kindred when he dropped out of school to pursue the career of his calling at the age of 18.
He joined the Kinshasa Band and made his presence greatly felt in the band despite being a teenager. But he did not stay with the outfit for long as a number of misunderstandings forced him to quit the group for another popular rhumba ensemble, Orchestre Bella Mambo, in 1976.
He then moved to France where he was to realise his fortune in 1981 with the release of one of his greatest hits “Iyole”.
After his 1981 breakthrough, Kanda became one of the most sought after names in African music. His kwasa kwasa beat spread throughout Central Africa and many bands who imitated the beat emerged in the 1980s.
Kanda extensively toured the world from his Paris base where his succesivealbums sold gold. Although he sang in Lingala, a language that can only be understood in central and east Africa, his popularity transcended language barriers.
It was his beat and superb live-show performance that brought him fame and fortune.He was recently rewarded for his efforts to put Congolese music on the map with a top government post in the newly formed Democratic Republic of Congo democracy
Albums
- Sweet (1999) - Kwasa Kwasa (1996) - Zing Zong (1996) - Welcome to South Africa (1995) - Le rendez-vous des stades (1993) - Soukous in Central Park (1993) - Sango (1992) - Isambe Monie (1990) - Amour Fou/ Crazy Love (1988) - Sai-Liza (1988) - The Best of Kanda Bongo Man (1988) - Balobi - Djessy Dyna - Non Stop-Non Stop - Yole-Djessy
