The Top Congolese Songs of All-Time - Starting Eleven

I asked some friends to name their top 5 songs ever, from DR Congo. I do not have a Congolese alter-ego, yet. I used what I have learnt around Museke. I also asked Google Gemini & other AI bots. You know AI is my friend these days right? I also contributed my top 5.

I have never been to DR Congo, …… . I learnt about Congolese music from some friends, around my time at MIT and then later at Stanford. Google helped during the Museke days too.

I wanted to make a list of the top 5, but there are too many songs. So I have aggregated 11, to represent DR Congo in the World Cup of #MusicWeDeyFeel. The starting eleven. Drop your opinions, props, suggestions in the comments section. Here we go, in no particular order, you can suggest who plays centre forward, sweeper, maestro, left wing back or goalkeeper in the comments.

Indépendance Cha-Cha - Le Grand Kallé & L'African Jazz (1960)

This song won the poll, and I would have been very disappointed if I had not heard this song before. The goalkeeper is the foundation of any great team. "Indépendance Cha-Cha" is the foundational song of modern Congolese music, right around independence. Apparently, it was composed in Brussels during the 1960 Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference, where Congo's independence was negotiated. It was performed by Joseph "Le Grand Kallé" Kabasele, Victor Longomba, Nico Kasanda, Roger Izeidi, Pierre Yatula, Déchaud Mwamba, Armando Brazzos, etc. 

It is sung in Lingala, with its lyrics celebrating the joy of independence and mentioning key political figures of the era. This is an anthem of African emancipation, a new nation.

Loi - Koffi Olomidé (1997)

Koffi Olomidé is arguably the biggest superstar ever from Zaire aka the Democratic Republic of Congo. Loi is his biggest hit. He is known in real life as Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba and had songwriters Somono Dolce and Mboshi Lipasa on this Loi all-time hit that is bound to hit you with joy. If you heard any Congolese music at multiple African parties, you must have heard this one.

It is sung in Lingala with some French. "Loi" means "Law". "Ah mingizile, ba yaya mingizile"is a chant or call for celebration and enjoyment. Like all top Ndombolo songs, some lucky people get mentions. In Loi, we hear Sidonie Kotoklo and Tshe Tshe Tchernobyl. Koffi sings about people wanting to take advantage of him ("Pesa mbongo abomi nga abetaka ngai eh") and the difficulties he faces because of his success. There is the famous line, “Ndombolo, Ndombolo a dombolo!”

The album Loi secured gold record status with 25,000 copies sold in France and 105,000 internationally. Koffi became the first Congolese artist to sell out the Olympia Hall in Paris (1998) after this song. The song has accumulated over 10 million Spotify streams. This is the overlapping right back.

Karolina - Awilo Longomba (1996)

Wait, are you sitting down? You have not recognized the song and started playing it? I would wait. 2 minutes, 44 seconds at least. I remember one time that a group at Stanford brought Awilo Longomba to perform while I was there. He disappointed us, it seems the group did not pay enough money or fulfill its end of the bargain. So he didn’t perform. We were not happy with him and Awilo lost a bit of love with us. But if we go somewhere and Karolina is dropped, you forget all animosity and move. This massive jam is a club anthem across Africa and all spaces where Africans and lovers of African music commune.

It is sung in Lingala and French The lyrics tell a story of love and longing, an ode to a beautiful woman named Karolina who has stolen the singer's heart. The French lyrics include: "Tango na moni-yé, na dagué hoo / Jolie jolie o / Kitoko na-yé na komi ki wélé wélé" — "When I saw her, I was captivated / Pretty, pretty / Her beauty made me dizzy" . The chorus repeats "Karolina mwana mama" and "Karolina mwasi kitoko" ("Karolina beautiful woman"). Awilo Longomba’s all-time hit is from the album Moto Pamba.

If not anything, you will mention the names of footballers like George Weah, Rigobert Song, Djemba Djemba and think of your friends who are called Carolina, Caroline, Caro, etc. Abaki mondongo!!! This is arguably the biggest soukous song ever with the fusion of traditional Congolese rhythms with modern elements. This song scores every time, it is the striker. 

Nairobi - Mbilia Bel (1984)

Yes, this song is sung in Swahili, as well as Lingala. A proper Congolese take over. Which is why the song is the maestro, the attacking midfielder, with all of its beauty for the beautiful game. Mbilia Bel was one of the great female voices of Congolese rumba. Mbilia Bel recorded and performed this track which was written by Tabu Ley Rochereau.

In the original version, Mbilia Bel sang about Duni (Elodie), a childhood friend who had gone to stay in Nairobi, a friend she now missed. She heard about the issues this friend was facing in a foreign land, so she decided to go and bring her back to Kinshasa . The chorus goes: "Nakei Nairobi, po na salisa Duni / Nakei Nairobi / Na ko zonga na Duni" — "I'm in Nairobi / To lend a helping hand Duni / I'm in Nairobi / I will bring Duni" . She sings about their childhood bond: "Na yoki Nzambe motindo ya mpasi, ba nyokoli yo / Yaka pembeni nazali se wayo ya motema / To vandi bo mwana, to meseni nga nayo, Dunia" — "I have heard of the problems that now bother you / Come to me, my heart is your home / From childhood we've been there for each other, Dunya". Nakuru and Mombasa also get mentions, as well as the word Harambee. 

When Kenyan President Moi executed a policy of banning foreign music, Tabu Ley decided to twist the original version and create a Kiswahili version with entirely different meaning: "Tuende Nairobi, tumuimbie baba Moi" ("Let's go to Nairobi, so we may sing for baba Moi").

Mario - Franco & TPOK Jazz (1985)

This TPOK Jazz classic was performed by Luambo Luanzo Makiadi "Franco" (songwriter, lead and spoken vocals, mi-solo guitar), Madilu System (lead vocals), Papa Noël Nedule (lead guitar), Gégé Mangaya (rhythm guitar), Decca Mpudi (bass guitar), Nado Kakoma (drums), Dessoin Bosuma (congas), with chorus Josky Kiambukuta, Ntesa Dalients, and Malage Lugendo. This is another foundational piece of Congolese music, a rock in the defence. The song was so popular it was recorded three times: the original, "Mario 2" (also 1985), and "Mario 3" (1987 on L'Animation Non Stop). It was certified gold after selling over 200,000 copies in (the former) Zaire. It has been covered by salsa group Africando and rapper Marshall Dixon.

It is sung in the most popular Congolese language, Lingala. Mario tells the story of a young gigolo who lives with an older woman. The popular lyric is Mario Nalembi eee, as a family member laments about Mario’s behavior. The father complains that Mario should go and look for a job. Apparently, and I have not been to DR Congo before to ascertain this, the song reflects a social phenomenon in Kinshasa where young men preferred mature women for financial support, just as young girls preferred mature men.

Eloko Oyo - Fally Ipupa (2017)

I got to know about Fally Ipupa during my Museke days. My favorite tracks from Fally are Chaise Electrique (ft Olivia) & Sexy Dance. The first time I met him was at the 2011 Afrotainment Museke Online Africa Music Awards (MOAMAs), held on September 24 in New York City where he was the Standout Male Winner. The Congolese superstar won in the following major categories at Afrotainment MOAMAs: Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, Central Africa Song of the Year & Best Video for Sexy Dance. He’s probably the biggest Congolese musician today. His biggest song ever though is Eloko Oyo, which has almost 120 million views on YouTube.

It is sung in Lingala and is from the album Tokooos. "Eloko Oyo" translates to "This Thing" in English. The song is about cultural pride and musical dominance. Fally Ipupa infers that he is the "King" of the Congolese music scene. C’est vrai. The phrase "Awa Te" (Not here / Not like this) became a viral slang term across Francophone Africa to dismiss anything of inferior quality compared to Fally's "standard".

Yo Pe - Innoss'B (2020)

I discovered Innoss’B through Trace Music. C’est vrai. Proper new school ndombolo, soukous, etc. It is arguably the Congolese music video with the most YouTube views (268 million views). It features Tanzania’s Naseeb Abdul Juma Issack aka Diamond Platnumz. Yo Pe (Remix) was sung in Lingala and Swahili. The phrase "Yo pe ba pesa yo" translates to "They will give you," suggesting a message of receiving recognition and reward for one's efforts and perseverance. "O bandi boulot na dix heures, O lembi n'o na douze heures": ("You start work at ten, you get tired by twelve"). Diamond's verse adds a celebratory element: "Oya sukuma we, Simba nawasha moto" ("Come push, Simba lights the fire").

His real name is Innocent Didace Balume. "Innoss" is a shortened form of his first name, Innocent, while the "B" stands for his surname, Balume. He was born in Goma. At age 12, he rose to fame, winning the first-ever Vodacom Super Star competition in 2010. He is widely known as "Jeune Leader" (Young Leader) and "Mtoto wa Congo". He is a pioneer of the AfroCongo style.

Yolele - Papa Wemba (1995)

When I first heard this song, I knew it was an international hit. Papa Wemba is known in real life as Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba and he wrote this Rumba jam with Lokua Kanza. It is on the Emotion album. Like the other musicians mentioned, he is an iconic figure in African music. He collaborated with Peter Gabriel and others. This song is another goalscorer, the inverted left winger who cuts in from the right side.

It is in Lingala and I recognize the love parts of the song. Some lyrics: "Na leka lofundu eh Na leka lolendo eh" — "I am tired of waiting for you, I am tired of waiting for you" . "Eloko na lakisa te na lingi yo na bombi yango" — "I have nothing to tell you, I love you in this situation" . "Yolele ngai na zangi yo yolele ngai na zangi yo" — "Yolele, I love you, Yolele, I love you" . "Muana mama pusa loleso eh" — "My little mother, make love to me" . "Eloko oyo bolingo somo / Ebanda na muna yeba mama somo eh" — "This is love, my darling / It begins with desire, desire, my darling" .

Coupé Bibamba - Awilo Longomba (1998) Yes, another Awilo Longomba entry like most of you expected. This song packs shots like Kondogbia and co. It is sung in Lingala and French. Another ndombolo jam that packs the dance floor in all African settings. It is from the album of the same name. "Coupé Bibamba" roughly translates to "Cut the Shackles" or "Cut the Chains". It is a motivational anthem addressing poverty and encouraging youth to pursue education and faith. It features shout-outs as usual. It helped Awilo perform to 3 consecutive sold-out concerts at Lagos National Stadium, demonstrating his massive Nigerian following. You have probably heard Sability by Ayra Starr, where she sampled this superb song. The lady whose voice you hear is Jocelyne Béroard. She is a legendary Martinican singer and a lead member of the famous Caribbean Zouk band Kassav. Coupé Bibamba gained significant international attention and was notably included on Barack Obama’s 2023 summer playlist. The sons of Awilo’s brother Lovy Longomba are the famous Kenyan musical duo The Longombas.

Mamou (Tu Vois?) - Franco Luambo & TPOK Jazz (1984) Franco (songwriter, lead guitar, vocals) shows up again, this time working with Madilu System (lead vocals), with Josky Kiambukuta, Ntesa Dalients, and Malage Lugendo (chorus) through the band, TPOK Jazz. Mamou was popular across Africa, particularly in Kenya and East Africa where Franco had a massive following. It is famous for being the hit that introduced the legendary Madilu System to international stardom. This is from the Franco et Le TPOK Jazz Chantent Tres Impoli album.

This Lingala song is also known as "Tu Vois?" ("You see?"). It is about 2 women who accuse each other of infidelity and prostitution. The narrator confronts her friend Mamou, who has been calling her a prostitute behind her back. Key lyrics include: "Olobaki nini mamou eh eh / Olobaki ngai nafundaka yo na mobali nayo" — "What did you say Mamou? / You say that I'm always reporting you to your husband". "Mamou ozali mwasi ya libala okamwisaka ngai / Mamou nini nakoki koloba mpo na yo" — "Mamou you are a married woman but you surprise me / Mamou, what can I say about you"

Muzina - Tabu Ley Rochereau (1994)

Muzina is a powerful gospel and praise song sung in Kikongo and Lingala, meaning the "In the name of". It is a song for the dancefloor like many of these all-time Congolese hits, but it is more of a plea for divine protection. Makes me think about “We Dey Pray!”. He sings: "Muzina di tata, e di mwana, e di mpeve santu," means "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".

Tabu Ley Rochereau is considered Franco's major rival and the other giant of Congolese music. It is only appropriate that his most popular track, Muzina, makes the selection. It partners Franco’s Mario in defence. His real name is Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu. After the establishment of the Mobutu regime, he adopted "Tabu Ley" as part of the "Zairization" policy, but later exiled himself to France in 1988.

Many thanks to friends like who contributed to this – Hubertine Tuweko, Jacqueline Mbus, Max Bonbhel, Mbay Kabway Serge, and Prince Wilondja. Have more #MusicWeDeyFeel to contribute? Drop a comment.

Check out this playlist of songs that were nominated, etc on YouTube.