Tabu Ley Rochereau, born Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu in 1940, was a seminal figure in African music, renowned for pioneering the Congolese rumba genre. In 1963, he co-founded the influential band African Fiesta with Dr. Nico Kasanda, blending traditional Congolese rhythms with Cuban and Latin American influences. Their innovative sound captivated audiences across Africa and beyond. After parting ways with Dr. Nico in 1965, Tabu Ley formed African Fiesta National, which evolved into Orchestre Afrisa International in 1970. Throughout his prolific career, he composed over 2,000 songs and released more than 100 albums, solidifying his legacy as a cornerstone of African music. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabu_Ley_Rochereau?utm_source=openai))