The Rumba Kings

The Rumba Kings

95 mins | Documentary, History, Music | May 6, 2021

In the fifties, when the future Democratic Republic of Congo was still a Belgian colony, an entire generation of musicians fused traditional African tunes with Afro-Cuban music to create the electrifying Congolese rumba, a style that conquered the entire continent thanks to an infectious rhythm, captivating guitar sounds and smooth vocals.

The Rumba Kings

95 mins | Documentary, History, Music | May 6, 2021

The Rumba Kings
In the fifties, when the future Democratic Republic of Congo was still a Belgian colony, an entire generation of musicians fused traditional African tunes with Afro-Cuban music to create the electrifying Congolese rumba, a style that conquered the entire continent thanks to an infectious rhythm, captivating guitar sounds and smooth vocals.
IMDb rating 7.7
Producers Shift Visual Lab
Original title The Rumba Kings
Directors Alan Brain
Writers

Cast

Simaro Lutumba

as Self - Musician

Roitelet

as Self - Musician

Manu Dibango

as Self - Musician

Paul Mwanga

as Self - Singer

Papa Wemba

as Self - Singer

Verckys Kiamanguana

as Self - Musician

Brazzos

as Self - Musician

Papa Noel

as Self - Musician

Kuka Mathieu

as Self - Singer

Manuaku

as Self - Musician

Guvano

as Self - Musician

Maproco

as Self - Musician

Petit Pierre

as Self - Musician

Bombenga

as Self - Singer

Rolly

as Self - Singer

Fagus Izeidi

as Self - Musician

Paul Mizele

as Self - Singer

Bikunda

as Self - Musician

Rex Lusukamu

as Self - Musician

Yossa Taluki

as Self - Musician

Fracasseur

as Self - Musician

Manda Tchebwa

as Self - African Music Historian

Clément Ossinondé

as Self - Music Journalist

Jean-Pierre Nimy Nzonga

as Self - Congolese Music Historian

Lubangi Muniania

as Self - African Art Historian

Biyevanga Lengemi

as Self - Music Critic

Raoul Yema Die Lala

as Self - Franco's Biographer

Jean Goubald Kalala

as Self - Singer

Yves Luambo

as Self - Franco's Son

Jean 'Jamais Kolonga' Lema

as Self - Radio Host

Victor Cornelis

as Self - Musician

Aime Bassay

as Self - Music Copyright Expert

Jhimmy

as Self - Musician (archive footage)

Grand Kallé

as Self - Singer (archive footage)

Docteur Nico

as Self - Musician (archive footage)

Franco

as Self - Musician (archive footage)

King Baudouin of Belgium

as Self (archive footage)

Patrice Lumumba

as Self - Politician (archive footage)

Thomas Kanza

as Self - Diplomat (voice) (archive footage)

Jean Bolikango

as Self - Politician (archive footage)

Joseph Kasa-Vubu

as Self - Politician (archive footage)

Tchuba Dimalo

as Self - footballer