Definitions for "Soukous"
Keywords:  congo, rumba, secouer, wemba, zairean
( sue kous) is the name of a popular and social music from French speaking Central Africa. It is predominantly a multilayered guitar style with horns and voices singing about love and other topical subjects. Major soukous artists include M'Bilia Bel, Franco, O.K.Jazz, Tabu Ley, Tshala Muana and Papa Wemba. French, Lingala or other central African languages are used.
is a musical style that grew out of '50s Cuban rhumba music mixing the kwassa kwassa dance rhythm with zouk and rhumba. Many African artists, originally from the Congo (or Zaire), relocated to Paris, which became a popular expatriate community for them, and where they are mostly still based.
Soukous from the Congo is the most popular music and dance craze style today in all of sub-Sahara Africa. The Slow rumba music of the 50s and 60s developed into an electrifying high octave rhythm performed by some of Africa's best guitarists. The name comes from the French word “secouer” which means to shake, it was translated to “soukous” through the street of Kinshasa the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Crisp lightening guitars sound and vocal harmony of soukous music is irresistible. You may be familiar with Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide, Wenga Musica, Soukous Stars, Diblo Dibala, Kanda Bongo Man. In the mid 90s Soukous music evolved to a new style called “Ndombolo”, it is the main musical menu at many African parties.