Bongo Kanda (born 1 January 1955), better known by his stage name 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, His solo career only started to take off after he moved to Paris in 1979, where his music started to incorporate elements of then-vibrant zouk music popularized by Kassav (originating in the French West Indies). and Amour Fou.

Kanda Bongo Man still tours in Europe and the United States. In July 2005, he performed at the LIVE 8: Africa Calling concert in Cornwall. He has performed several times at the Africa Oyé Festival in Liverpool, most recently in June 2022.

Discography

  • Iyole (1981)
  • Djessy (1982)
  • Amour Fou (1984)
  • Malinga (1985)
  • Lela Lela (1986)
  • Sai Liza (1987)
  • Kwassa Kwassa (1989)
  • Isambe Monie (1990)
  • Zing Zong (1991)
  • Sango (1992)
  • Le Rendez-vous des Stades (1993)
  • Soukous in Central Park (1993)
  • Welcome to South Africa (1995)
  • Francophonix (1999)
  • The Very Best of Kanda Bongo Man (Nascente) (2001)
  • Balobi (2002)
  • Swalati (2003)
  • Non-Stop Feeling (2010)
  • Sweet (2010)
  • Yolele! Live in Concert (2021)
  • Kekete Bue (2022)

Notes

References

  • The African Music Encyclopedia: Music From Africa and the African Diaspora
  • Soukous.com Kanda Biography