Siama Matuzungidi

Bio

As a prolific composer and guitarist from DR Congo Siama performed with many of the greats and was a sought-after studio musician, recording over 100 popular songs during the golden era of soukous music in the 1970s-80s. His signature sound and commitment to innovation helped to fuel the popularization of soukous which is ubiquitous on dance floors the world-over to this day.

While growing up in the Bakongo region of western Zaire, music was the center of everything. Siama was immersed in his community’s ancient tradition of spending evenings under the stars telling stories and singing and dancing together. Siama started teaching himself to play guitar at age 12 by playing along to the radio and it quickly became his singular passion.

He left home at 17 with his guitar strapped to his back and hit the city of Kinshasa determined to make his mark.

Siama launched his solo career in 2014 from Minneapolis, MN-USA after being awarded a McKnight Fellowship. Siama's new projects birthed a wish to record a new album in collaboration with many of the diverse artists with which he's performed since moving to the US. He's grateful that the Minnesota State Arts Board awarded him a grant to create, "RIVERS - from the Congo to the Mississippi", a truly unique and extraordinary album which he released 0n 31 May 31, 2016.

Music

Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Jungle Zombie
04:08
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Mpevo
06:17
SoundCloud
Track artwork
Siama Matuzungidi
Sisili
04:57
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Kueya
05:31
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Maisha Mazuri
05:41
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Ndombolo
05:33
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Bolingo
05:56
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Yolanda
03:57
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Mombasa
04:28
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Malembe
05:29
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Yele Yele
04:22
SoundCloud
Track artwork
SiamaMusic
Oyayeyo
05:47
SoundCloud
USMinneapolis, United States

Contact

Dallas John
Profile added by In-house East Africa on 14 Jul 2016
Advert
Apply for showcases