The Rumba Kings

Congo's real treasure does not lie underground

In the fifties, when the future Democratic Republic of Congo was still a Belgian colony, an entire generation of musicians fused traditional African tunes with Afro-Cuban music to create the electrifying Congolese rumba, a style that conquered the entire continent thanks to an infectious rhythm, captivating guitar sounds and smooth vocals.

Documentary History Music

Simaro Lutumba

(Self - Musician)

Roitelet

(Self - Musician)

Manu Dibango

(Self - Musician)

Paul Mwanga

(Self - Singer)

Papa Wemba

(Self - Singer)

Verckys Kiamanguana

(Self - Musician)

Brazzos

(Self - Musician)

Papa Noel

(Self - Musician)

Kuka Mathieu

(Self - Singer)

Manuaku

(Self - Musician)

Guvano

(Self - Musician)

Maproco

(Self - Musician)

Petit Pierre

(Self - Musician)

Bombenga

(Self - Singer)

Rolly

(Self - Singer)

Fagus Izeidi

(Self - Musician)

Paul Mizele

(Self - Singer)

Bikunda

(Self - Musician)

Rex Lusukamu

(Self - Musician)

Yossa Taluki

(Self - Musician)

Fracasseur

(Self - Musician)

Manda Tchebwa

(Self - African Music Historian)

Clément Ossinondé

(Self - Music Journalist)

Jean-Pierre Nimy Nzonga

(Self - Congolese Music Historian)

Lubangi Muniania

(Self - African Art Historian)

Biyevanga Lengemi

(Self - Music Critic)

Christos Papadimitriou

(Self)

Mathilda Benatar

(Self)

André Yoka Lye Mudaba

(Self)

Raoul Yema Die Lala

(Self - Franco's Biographer)

Jean Goubald Kalala

(Self - Singer)

Yves Luambo

(Self - Franco's Son)

Jean 'Jamais Kolonga' Lema

(Self - Radio Host)

Victor Cornelis

(Self - Musician)

Aime Bassay

(Self - Music Copyright Expert)

Jhimmy

(Self - Musician (archive footage))

Grand Kallé

(Self - Singer (archive footage))

Docteur Nico

(Self - Musician (archive footage))

Franco

(Self - Musician (archive footage))

King Baudouin of Belgium

(Self (archive footage))

Patrice Lumumba

(Self - Politician (archive footage))

Thomas Kanza

(Self - Diplomat (voice) (archive footage))

Jean Bolikango

(Self - Politician (archive footage))

Joseph Kasa-Vubu

(Self - Politician (archive footage))