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I want to do a thread or a book on the Congolese women of Soukous/Rumba. I feel like they are not talked enough about. For the longest time I didnât know anyone other than Mbilia Bel. 
1) Elisabeth Finant Aka Abeti Masikini.
- First female Congolese music diva.
- Her music pulled from Soukous, Congolese Rumba, folk music & blues.
- Once shared a stage w/ James Brown in New York
- Sister of the legendary Abumba Masikini aka Congolese Jimmy Hendrix
- First female Congolese music diva.
- Her music pulled from Soukous, Congolese Rumba, folk music & blues.
- Once shared a stage w/ James Brown in New York
- Sister of the legendary Abumba Masikini aka Congolese Jimmy Hendrix
2. Mbilia bel known as the Queen of Congolese/African Rumba & The Cleopatra of Congolese music
- Discovered by Sam Manguana & Tabu Ley.
-Africa's first female transcontinental diva.
-Sang back up for Abeti Masikini
- Admired for her full control of her powerful soprano-voice
- Discovered by Sam Manguana & Tabu Ley.
-Africa's first female transcontinental diva.
-Sang back up for Abeti Masikini
- Admired for her full control of her powerful soprano-voice
3)MâPongo Love
- Main Female singer in Tcheke Tcheke love.
- Known for her strong feminist views criticising polygamy & practises or keeping mistresses in her music.
- Classed as the most feminine out of all Soukous female singers
- Main Female singer in Tcheke Tcheke love.
- Known for her strong feminist views criticising polygamy & practises or keeping mistresses in her music.
- Classed as the most feminine out of all Soukous female singers
4) Vonga Aye.
Canât lie donât know a thing about this lady other than the fact that she was developed by the same Congolese Saxphoniste & member of OK Jazz (Empompo Loway) who developed MâPongo Love.
Canât lie donât know a thing about this lady other than the fact that she was developed by the same Congolese Saxphoniste & member of OK Jazz (Empompo Loway) who developed MâPongo Love.
5) Kishila Ngoyi aka Faya Tess.
Dont know much about her either but I do know that she was recruited into Afrisa Records as an accompaniment to Mbilia Bel.
Dont know much about her either but I do know that she was recruited into Afrisa Records as an accompaniment to Mbilia Bel.
6) Tshala Muana
- Started as a dancer in Tsheke Tsheke Love.
- Most famous for her Congolese folk music & played a part in female Soukous/Rumba scene.
What I love is that sheâs always kept to the Muluba sound/roots even when crossing over to other genres.
- Started as a dancer in Tsheke Tsheke Love.
- Most famous for her Congolese folk music & played a part in female Soukous/Rumba scene.
What I love is that sheâs always kept to the Muluba sound/roots even when crossing over to other genres.
7) Meje 30(MJ30)
Protege of Tshala muana giving her years of exprience in the Congolese Rumba industry. She was classed as one of 2 new skool/next generation female Rumba Artists.
Protege of Tshala muana giving her years of exprience in the Congolese Rumba industry. She was classed as one of 2 new skool/next generation female Rumba Artists.
8) Cindy Le Coeur
I think this one speak for itself
We all know who she is. She is the second female Rumba artists classed as one of 2 new skool/next generation that I mentioned previously.
I think this one speak for itself
We all know who she is. She is the second female Rumba artists classed as one of 2 new skool/next generation that I mentioned previously.
9) Desse Mukangi
Leader singer in the Congolese group Antichoc alongside Bozi Boziana.
(Thereâs a few vĂdeo archives of her London shows back in the day...have fun spotting your parents
)
Leader singer in the Congolese group Antichoc alongside Bozi Boziana.
(Thereâs a few vĂdeo archives of her London shows back in the day...have fun spotting your parents
)
10) Jolie Deta
Sang for OK Jazz & also LâAntichoc
Sang for OK Jazz & also LâAntichoc
11) Scola Miel
Used to sing along side Koffi in Quartier Latin
Used to sing along side Koffi in Quartier Latin
12) Betty Bis
Sang for Congolese group Lâantichoc
Sang for Congolese group Lâantichoc
13) Yondo Kusala Denise aka Yondo Sister
- Often referred to as âla reine de la Soukousâ (The Queen of Soukous) or QUEEN of Kwasa Kwasa.
- Known mostly for her Soukous moves gaining her the name Tina Turner of Soukous (Soukous meaning to shake).
- Often referred to as âla reine de la Soukousâ (The Queen of Soukous) or QUEEN of Kwasa Kwasa.
- Known mostly for her Soukous moves gaining her the name Tina Turner of Soukous (Soukous meaning to shake).
