Top 10 Musicians in DRC 2023

Between January 2023 and March 2023, Research 8020 embarked on a journey to discover the top 10 musicians in DRC. The study examined the popularity of musicians in DRC. This would help inform industry players and also set the stage for comparisons.

Without any further ado, here is the list of the top 10 musicians in DRC 2023:

1. Fally Ipupa

It’s no surprise that Fally Ipupa is the most popular artist in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His musical prowess has been demonstrated time and again by his record-breaking releases and collaborations. His hit single ‘Eloko Oyo’ has received over 90 million views. With this, he has cemented his place at the pinnacle of DRC music and Africa in general.

2. Koffi Olomide

When discussing longevity, don’t forget to mention Koffi Olomide. Koffi Olomidé is a singer, dancer, producer, and composer from Congo. He has been ruling the Congolese and the African airwaves for one of the longest time. Koffi has several gold records in his career. His hit single ‘Papa Ngwasuma’ has over 37 million views on YouTube as of March 2023. This has further cemented his legacy as one of the finest Soukus singers in the world.

3. Innoss’B

Innoss’B is a Goma, Congo DRC native who performs as a percussionist, dancer, singer, and songwriter. He has adapted contemporary genres like Afro beats and hip-hop and is also a talented djembe player. ‘Yo Pe’, a single that Inoss’B released in 2019, was a huge hit. The Tanzanian superstar Diamond Platnumz later remixed the song. ‘Yo Pe’ is currently Innoss’B’s most-watched song with over 55 million views.

4. Hiro Le Coq

Influenced by the great Papa Wemba and Koffi Olomide, Hiro Le Coq has been a force in the music industry. This is evident with the numbers he has been putting up over time. His hit single ‘La Danse’ has garnered over 34 million as of March 2023.

5. Ferre Gola

The extraordinary artistic journey taken by DR Congolese recording artist Ferre Gola has led to his current level of success. He is well known for both his studio work and his performances on stage. He has been able to incorporate so much flair into his music. One of his most popular songs, “Judgement”, has received over 15 million views.

6. Héritier Watanabe

Héritier Watanabe is a singer-songwriter and dancer who comes from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He began singing at the age of 10.   In 2015, he decided to leave Wenge Musica Maison Mère and signed with Obouo Music Label. He had been a member of the Wenge Musica Maison Mère group since 2001. By March 2023, ‘B.M.’, his debut song under Obouo music, has amassed over 14 million views.

7. Robinio Mundibu

Congolese singer, songwriter, and dancer Robinio Mundibu achieved fame with the renowned Central African Bands Quartier Latin. He was also a Wenge Musica Maison Mère member in the early 2000s before starting a solo career in 2014. He is one of the most powerful figures in the Congolese music scene as of 2023.  His hit song “Misu Na Misu”, has amassed over 30 million views as of March 2023.

8. Roga Roga

Roga-Roga is a musician from the Republic of Congo and a leader of the group Extra Musica. Roga performs Ndombolo, rumba, soukous, and other world music genres while playing the guitar. ‘Bokoko’, one of his most popular songs, has amassed over 33 million views on YouTube, demonstrating its popularity.

9. Gaz Mawete

Gaz Mawete is a Congolese singer, songwriter, and dancer. He got his breakthrough through his song “Olingi Nini”, which has received over 5 million views on YouTube. He is now a well-known musician in the Congolese republic gaining fans all over the nation. His notable for his music thanks to the over 11 million views his song ‘500’ has received.

10. Fabregas Le Métis Noir

Fabregas Le Métis Noir is a Congolese singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. He got his start in music by singing in a Catholic church. From 2008 to 2011, he was a member of the band Wenge Musica Maison Mère. His musical talent led to the release of the popular song “Ya Mado.” With over 10 million views “Ya Mado” has made him one of the most sought-after Congolese musicians.

View the full report with 50+ artists here.

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