Beyanga – Mbilia Bel, 1987

🇨🇩  🎤 🎸 💃 🌍 In 1987, Mbilia Bel was at the height of her fame. The Congolese singer had begun her career a decade earlier as a backing vocalist for Abéti. She performed with Sam Mangwana before joining the Afrisa orchestra led by Tabu Ley Rochereau. Her early hits emerged in the early 1980s, including the unforgettable Eswi Yo Wapi in 1983. She married Rochereau, who continued to produce her albums. In 1987, Beyanga became one of her major successes—a rumba with an irresistible chorus that set many hearts swaying on the dance floor. This was followed by two tracks blending afro-funk (Mano Mongba) and classic soukous (Mobali Na Ngai Wana), allowing Afrisa to shine with sharp brass and ethereal guitars. Unfortunately, the credits were once again missing, but the orchestra, founded in 1965, had already hosted several Congolese music legends such as Dino Vangu, Lokassa Ya Mbongo, and even Papa Wemba. The album closes with another masterful rumba. Mbilia Bel left the group the following year, spent time in Gabon, and eventually settled in Paris. She continued an active career, touring as far as Colombia, the Congolese rumba’s second homeland.