Kiniata – Kin’Gongolo Kiniata
https://amf.didiermary.fr/liseki-te-kin-gongolo-kiniata/
Kiniata is the first studio album released by Kin’Gongolo Kiniata in April 2025.
Schooled in the effervescence of Kinshasa’s streets, Kin’Gongolo Kiniata is redefining the boundaries of Congolese music while honouring its deep cultural roots. […]
Emmanuel Jal, Vanessa Mdee, Juliani & Syssi Mananga – Tusimame
https://amf.didiermary.fr/emmanuel-jal-vanessa-mdee-juliani-syssi-mananga-tusimame/
South Sudan’s Emmanuel Jal, the internationally acclaimed recording artist and inspiring humanitarian has joined forces with some of music’s biggest stars, including Tanzania’s Vanessa Mdee, Congo’s Syssi Mananga and Kenya’s Juliani in the making of Tusimame, a pan-African musical stand against the destruction of Africa’s elephants [...]
Fredy Massamba – Ethnophony
https://amf.didiermary.fr/fredy-massamba-ethnophony/
Né à Pointe-Noire au Congo, Fredy Massamba rejoint les Tambours de Brazza, puis accompagne Zap Mama, Didier Awadi, Manou Gallo et pas mal d'autres.
Il décide finalement de sortir un album solo en 2011, Ethnophony, travaillé avec Ray Lema et mixé à New York par les ingénieurs du son d'Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys ou The Roots…
Kanda Bongo Man – Malinga
https://amf.didiermary.fr/kanda-bongo-man-malinga/
Bongo Kanda (born 1 January 1955), aka Kanda Bongo Man, is a Congolese Soukous musician and singer. His career debuted in 1973 when he became the singer for the Belle Mambo band, developing a sound influenced by Tabu Ley. […]
Mbote Na Beno Vol. 1-3
https://amf.didiermary.fr/mbote-na-beno-vol-1-3/
The 3 volumes of “Mbote Na Beno” (Hi there! when greeting a person in Kikongo language) are compilations of Congolese music by NoForm: Production, a Swiss label by “La Société des Ambianceurs” (see also La Sape, Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Elégantes), to relay their work and eclectic projects.
Each compilation contains a mix […]
Pamelo Mounk’a – L’argent appelle l’argent (1981)
https://amf.didiermary.fr/pamelo-mounka-argent-appelle-1981/
Grand classique issu de la période solo (hors Bantous de la Capitale) et parisienne de l’artiste Pamelo Mounka (ou Pamelo Mounk’a).
Ce titre a été repris par de multiples autres artistes depuis sa création.
Orchestre Macchi – Lola Muana
https://amf.didiermary.fr/orchestre-macchi-lola-muana/
Lorsqu’un groupe de jeunes dirigé par Dindo Yogo (Théodore Djangi Dindo Yogo) et Nseka dit “Huit Kilos” forment l’Orchestre Macchi autour 1973-74, ils proposent un nouveau son à travers la guitare de Huit Kilos et l’ensemble des musiciens.
Dindo Yogo (1955-2000) a été le chanteur de Zaïko Langa Langa entre 1984 et 1991.
Nyboma & les Kamale Dynamiques
https://amf.didiermary.fr/double-double-nyboma-kamale-dynamiques-zaire/
Orchestre Kamale (aka “Kamale Dynamiques”) was formed in 1975 by singer Nyboma Mwan’dido with members of Orchestre Lipua-Lipua, where he was a singer from 1973 to 1975 and where he had his first hit “Kamale”.
Orchestre Kamale didn’t last very long and split up in 1978.
If you already watched "Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat", or want to, this is a #MustRead interview with Johan Gimonprez
Making films against amnesia
"The director of the Oscar-nominated film 'Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat' reflects on imperial violence, corporate warfare, and how cinema can disrupt the official record—and help us remember differently."
https://africasacountry.com/2025/04/making-films-against-amnesia
From the Heart of the Congo
African Roots Reggae, Congolese Soukous meets Dub music.
https://amf.didiermary.fr/rss-club/seke-molenga-kalo-kawongolo-lee-scratch-perry-heart-congo/
While begging in the streets of Kingston, after being abandoned by a Jamaican promoter, 2 Congolese musicians, Seke Molenga & Kalo Kawongolo, met Lee “Scratch” Perry who decided to record 8 tracks with them after hearing their story. The album “From the heart of the Congo”, aka […]
