This entry will combine Hip Hop from both the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire, has its capital in Kinshasa and borders Zambia, Angola, the Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania. The Republic of Congo has its capital in Brazzaville and borders the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, the Gulf of Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, and Central African Republic.

Rumba is the major musical genre in Congo. Hip Hop music is gaining in popularity among the youth in Congo and usually features a hybrid feel with genres such as Rumba, Soukous, and Kwassa Kwassa. There are reports of over 100 Hip Hop crews in Kinshasa alone, though they have received little international attention, yet.

Kaysha (Myspace page, Wikipedia), born in Kinshasa and raised in France, has a soft sound and his lyrics are often about a love interest. On the song "Dream Team," Kaysha claims, "This style is identical to none," and he's right. Bisso Na Bisso (Wikipedia, bio), a super group from both Congos, also mix the genres mentioned above with Hip Hop and rap in French. Passi (Myspace page, Wikipedia) has been a member of the French group Mistere Amer as well as Bisso Na Bisso. Fatima CIA were an important early group.

Kin Mafia Style (Myspace page) are a collective from Kinshasa, who have a more hardcore straight-up Hip Hop style. Don Klemente is an artist who now resides in Belgium. Lopango Yaba Nka or Lopango Ya Banka (Myspace page, Wikipedia) are a group of eight born in Kinshasa. Here is their video: Telema mpo na Kongo. Profetzion is another artist from Kinshasa.

other sites:

Congolese Hip Hop on African Hip Hop.com.

Congolese Hip Hop on Wikipedia.

an article: Fight against censonship of rap in DC Congo.