The Congo or Zaire as it was previously called used to have the best musicians and music in Africa. They had the best guitarists, the best arrangers and producers, and the best vocalists. Whenever these musical geniuses come together, they fuse harmonic, symphonic and rhythmic tunes to create music that touches the spirit. The most known genres are Rhumba first and later Soukous and Kwassa Kwassa.

Since 2012, I started listening to soukous music and I have never looked back. I don't understand a word of what these musicians say but I don't care.

Are there people who love or are addicted (like me) to Congolese music? Come in and show yourself.

By the way, if you're a guitarist, you will love this thread.

hello. please post a link to download one of the song on your playlist . there's a particular song i'm looking for and artist

Like most Nigerians, the first time I heard any soukous music was when Awilo Longomba released his Coupe Bibamba album in 1998. Nigerians wrongly called it makossa and most people thought Awilo was from Cameroon. The album was good and this was the most popular song in the album.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mlt5RVwbPY

I love Congo music videos

chaarly:
hello. please post a link to download one of the song on your playlist . there's a particular song i'm looking for and artist

I have thousands of Congolese songs. You might see the song here when I post it.

ArchangeLucifer:
I love Congo music videos

Of you do do, with your dirty mind.

Sweetguy25:
[s]Like most Nigerians, the first time I heard any soukous music was when Awilo Longomba released his Coupe Bibamba album in 1998. [/s]

Wrong.

First time I heard Soukous music was when my Mum was yelling it at the top of her voice and my Dad was making grunting sounds to compliment hers behind closed doors one night.

This rendition lasted about 25 mins during which I couldn't take it no more & whipped out my vaseline jelly, dumped a generous amount in a hole on my mattress & humped it till I passed out.

A honourable tradition I have continued till this day.

Sweetguy25:
Like most Nigerians, the first time I heard any soukous music was when Awilo Longomba released his Coupe Bibamba album in 1998. Nigerians wrongly called it makossa and most people thought Awilo was from Cameroon. The album was good and this was the most popular song in the album.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mlt5RVwbPY

chai my whole life was a lie

The song that really got me interested in Soukous music were these two songs by Jean Baron. I heard it from my room mates phone and the guitars struck me. I started looking for the artist. It took me over 1 year find out the artiste.

1. Lutter Lutter by Jean Baron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDz8VQUe2AU

2. Pantalon Mariba by jean baron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EISk3AlWUtE

The lead guitars were from the one and only Dally Kimoko.

Let me differentiate between Rumba and Soukous.

Rumba is slower than Soukous. Its Like a mixture of R&B and Jazz. There's no perfect way to explain than give examples.

This is Rumba


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHlZ2WGct4g



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqvi0zdN-tM

Rumba has slower rhythms and tempo and it relies heavily on rhythm guitar.

Soukous is like a faster version of Rumba. The lead gitar is more prominent and important in Soukous than in Rumba. Most soukous songs (even rumba) have something called a sebene, a part of the song where the lead guitarist goes on a roll and displays his guitar skills.

A classic example of soukous


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H4qNT4HE2E

The 80s was a great year for Soukous and Rumba. It was the year Parisian soukous took over the scene. Guitarists like Diblo, Dally, Rigo Star, Lokassa, Bopol and Syran came into limelight.

One of the best songs from one the greatest albums of the 80s:

Nina by Nyboma and Pepe Kalle, from the album Moyibi. Guitars are by Dally Kimoko, Lokassa Ya'Mbongo and Miguel Yamba.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nzeiYGdWmk

Two other lovely songs from the Moyibi album by Nyboma and Pepe Kalle

Likambo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbJqt_V4jLU

And Amour Perdu


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aFHHkLj-U0


This album was a masterpiece. It was produced in 1988 I think.

More 80s soukous

This time from Kanda Bongo man. Kanda is one of the most famous African musicians. He's one of the pioneers of soukous music. Here is his hit track called Iyole from his first album. This is one of the first soukous songs and it has a funny story behind it.

The song was originally recorded as a slow rumba music and Kanda was hoping it would be released that way but unknown to him, the sound engineer and studio, shortened it and increased the tempo. When Kanda heard it, he and Diblo were angry but the song went on to be massive hit and that was how Kanda Bongo became a Soukous musician.

Enjoy. Iyole from Kanda Bongo man, solo guitar by Diblo Dibala. 1981


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=183dLzVFf9Q

Kanda Bongo released so many great songs in 80s, thanks to excellent wizardry from Diblo Dibala his guitarist. It was impossible to not at least nod your head after listening to Diblo's guitar.

Another hit song from Kanda Bongo's first album.

Kanda Bongo ~ Mazina. 1981


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ir2iA8hUSk

Kanda Bongo's second album was excellent. Diblo Dibala killed the songs with his perfect guitar solos and tunes.

Kanda Bongo Man - Amour Fou. 1984


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECI3B4HVeZM

My favorite song from Kanda Bongo's second album. Enjoy the guitar from Diblo Dibala

Kanda Bongo Man ~ Bayembi 1984


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRxjdksA2Zw

Away from Kanda Bongo man for a minute and unto Diblo Dibala. Diblo was the number one Soukous guitarist in the 80s. He was the lead guitarist for Kanda Bongo man's first four albums. If you listen to Kanda Bongo man's song, you will often hear him call out Diblo's name.

Anyway, Diblo left Kanda and formed his own Soukous group with Aulus Mabele called Loketo in 1987 or there about. They produced and excellent album called Super Soukous. Here is a hit track from the album

Diblo and Loketo ~ Super K. 1988


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfEca4B6qlQ

Sweetguy25:
My favorite song from Kanda Bongo's second album. Enjoy the guitar from Diblo Dibala

Kanda Bongo Man ~ Bayembi 1984


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRxjdksA2Zw

still enjoying soukous and rumba boss? Since the day I listened to it, i never loved any other genre of music… the first song i heard was .. bozi boziana -lelo makambo