Nico Kasanda, known as Docteur Nico, was a pioneering Congolese guitarist and composer born on July 7, 1939, in Mikalayi, Belgian Congo. At 14, he joined Grand Kalle et l'African Jazz, led by Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasele, where his innovative finger-picking style earned him the nickname "Docteur Nico." In 1963, he co-founded L'Orchestre African Fiesta with Tabu Ley Rochereau, significantly influencing the evolution of Congolese rumba into soukous. After parting ways in 1965, Nico formed African Fiesta Sukisa, producing hits like "Kamulangu." He withdrew from the music scene in the mid-1970s and passed away on September 22, 1985, leaving a lasting legacy in African music. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nico_Kasanda?utm_source=openai))