Paty Pacheco. Paty was born in 1973 under the name of Sunda Nzinga. His passion for music was evident early on: at eight years old, he was already an excellent dancer of traditional Congolese rhythms. He followed the traditional initiatory course of many of the great names in Congolese music: chorus-singer in a Protestant choral society at 16, drummer in an orchestra of the district at 17, then discovery by Papa Wemba and membership in Viva Musica at 23.

Three years ago, Paty discovered a hobby: jazz with a Congolese twist. He sings jazz standards translated into Lingala, the language of Kinshasa. He plans to release an album featuring these jazz standards, as well as several well known local songs.

Manda Chante. Manda got his start with the religious orchestra Les Cohéritiers de Ndjili in 1985. The group entered the public eye, in large part thanks to its principal attraction, Manda Chante, just fifteen years old. With a voice full with confidence, the small wonder of Ndjili (a Kinshasa neighborhood) did not pass unnoticed.

Initially joining the legendary group, Wenge Musica, Manda and his friend, Marie-Paul, moved on to create their own group, Wenge El Paris, in 1993. Shortly thereafter, Manda left to become the head of a Wenge spin-off group, Wenge Référence.

Manda’s most recent album, released in November 2006, is entitled Délivrance Totale.