Lokua Kanza

Lokua Kanza is a Congolese guitarist and singer-songwriter who grew up in Bukavu. He started playing guitar early and performed in local clubs before moving to France in the late 1980s. There he worked with musicians like Manu Dibango and Salif Keita.

His music draws from African folk, jazz, and pop, and he writes in French, Portuguese, and Lingala. Songs like "Meu Amor" and "Wapi Yo" show his gentle, melodic approach. He has released more than a dozen albums, including his self-titled 1996 record and 2004's "Wapi Yo."

In 2010, Kanza was involved in a plagiarism dispute over a co-written song called "Africa," which was resolved in his favor. He has also been vocal about political issues in Congo, which has occasionally drawn criticism.