Freed Mushaga

Freed Mushaga is a Congolese singer-songwriter, cultural entrepreneur and soul/pop artist whose work combines musical excellence, social awareness and pan-African dialogue. Born and raised in Bukavu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mushaga is deeply inspired by the storytelling traditions of African griots, while embracing a contemporary, cross-border musical language. His art is characterized by a rare balance of emotional depth, technical finesse and an unwavering commitment to music as a tool for connection, healing and collective transformation.
Since his professional debut in 2020, Freed Mushaga has developed a distinctive sound blending African soul, pop, jazz, folk and Afrobeat, infused with theatrical sensitivity and poetic clarity. His warm, expressive voice and captivating stage presence have earned him recognition as a powerful live performer, capable of transforming intimate venues and large festival stages alike into spaces for shared reflection and joy. Influenced by artists such as Angélique Kidjo, Lokua Kanza, Michael Jackson, Miriam Makeba, Youssou N'Dour, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Mushaga's music reflects both a respect for heritage and a forward-looking creative vision.
Freed's growing international reputation is due to his numerous tours and residencies across Africa. Hailing from Bukavu , he’s performed from Kinshasa, Kigali, Kampala, Nairobi, up to Lusaka, Harare, Zanzibar, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria and more, taking part in major regional festivals, events and gatherings, including The Marahaba Jazz Day (Burundi), ACCES 2024 & 2025 (Rwanda, South Africa), Marafiki Night Live (Tanzania), Malcolm Centennial Summit (Kigali), UMP Festival (Malawi), Multiple Sofar Sounds across the region, Kalabash Festival (Uganda), Dana B (Zimbabwe), Jazz with the Natives (South Africa), Milege Festival (Uganda), Black Labone (South Africa), Fête du Livre (Kinshasa). These engagements position him as one of the leading figures in a new generation of African artists shaping debates on the continent and globally.
On May 9, 2025 Freed Mushaga released his debut EP, JE SUIS, a poetic and introspective collection that examines identity, resilience, love and human dignity. The project marked a turning point in his career, resonating with audiences and critics across Africa and beyond. JE SUIS attracted extensive international media attention, with coverage and broadcasts including on VOA, RFI, BBC, The Monitor, Actualité.cd and, more recently, HOT FM Zambia, affirming Mushaga’s emergence as an artist whose voice transcends borders and speaks to shared human experiences. The project later evolved into a live album, JE SUIS – The Live Experience, recorded in Nairobi and capturing the raw energy and immediate emotion of his performances. Freed Mushaga recently completed the multi‑country official launch of JE SUIS – The Live Experience, performing at Goethe‑Institut Kenya, Geco Café (Kenya), Alliance Française de Lusaka (Zambia) and Alliance Française de Harare (Zimbabwe). He is also slated to headline major regional festivals, including Miombo Magic (Zimbabwe), Food x Art (Zimbabwe) and WOMAD SA (South Africa).
Beyond the stage, Freed Mushaga is deeply committed to cultural development, education and social impact. He is co-founder and director of JUA NPO, a non-profit dedicated to promoting African unity through...