Innoss’B

Innoss’B is the stage name of Innocent Didace Balume (born May 5, 1997), a Congolese singer‑songwriter, rapper, percussionist, dancer, and philanthropist known for his pioneering influence on modern African music. Hailing from Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he has become one of the most influential voices in Afro‑African pop and urban music. Innocent was born into a deeply musical family — his father was a dancer and his mother a church cantor — and he is the youngest of six siblings. From a young age, he was immersed in music and performance, learning to sing in church choirs and play instruments like the djembe drum.

At just six years old, he began performing with his brothers in a family band called Maisha Soul (also known as Balume 4), which gained early recognition by winning the Revelation Award at the 2007 Goma Tourism Fair.

At age 12, Innocent won the Vodacom Superstar music competition in the DRC — a televised talent show co‑hosted by Akon — which catapulted him into the spotlight and earned him a recording opportunity with the global star, including the single “Up and Away”. In 2013, he released his debut solo album Innocent Vol.1, establishing his presence in the African music industry.

Innoss’B continued to build his career with lyrical and rhythmic versatility, working across Congolese rumba, ndombolo, hip‑hop, Afrobeat, and AfroCongo — a genre he is credited with helping to define.

He scored major hits with tracks like:

• “Ozo Beta Mabe” — a breakout hit from his 2017 EP Plus
• “Yo Pe” and its remix featuring Diamond Platnumz, which amassed over 100 million views and became one of his signature tracks.

He has also collaborated with major African stars including Werrason, Koffi Olomidé, Damso, and others.