racism,music history,colonialism,1950s,1960s,music documentary,democratic republic of the congo,african music,african history,african art,belgian history,decolonization,congolese rumba

The Rumba Kings (2021)

Poster for The Rumba Kings

Congo's real treasure does not lie underground

In the fifties, when the future Democratic Republic of Congo was still a Belgian colony, an entire generation of musicians fused traditional African tunes with Afro-Cuban music to create the electrifying Congolese rumba, a style that conquered the entire continent thanks to an infectious rhythm, captivating guitar sounds and smooth vocals.

Cast & Crew

Director
Alan Brain
  • Profile picture of Manu Dibango
    Self - Musician Manu Dibango
  • Profile picture of Papa Wemba
    Self - Singer Papa Wemba
  • Profile picture of King Baudouin of Belgium
    Self (archive footage) King Baudouin of Belgium
  • Profile picture of Patrice Lumumba
    Self - Politician (archive footage) Patrice Lumumba

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Keywords

  • racism
  • music history
  • colonialism
  • 1950s
  • 1960s
  • music documentary
  • democratic republic of the congo
  • african music
  • african history
  • african art
  • belgian history
  • decolonization
  • congolese rumba