Famous lyrics by »

Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu (13 November 1940 – 30 November 2013), better known as Tabu Ley Rochereau, was a leading African rumba singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International, as well as one of Africa's most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters. Along with guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered soukous (African rumba) and internationalised his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean and Latin American rumba. He has been described as "the Congolese personality who, along with Mobutu, marked Africa's 20th century history." He was dubbed "the African Elvis" by the Los Angeles Times. After the fall of the Mobutu regime, Tabu Ley also pursued a political career. His musical career ran parallel to the other great Congolese rhumba bandleader and rival Franco Luambo Makiadi who ran the band TPOK Jazz throughout the 1960s, 1970s and '80s. During his career, Tabu Ley composed up to 3,000 songs and produced 250 albums. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him at number 178 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

0 fans

Albums by Tabu LeySort:By AlbumA - Z


Babeti Soukous [1989]

SongDuration
I Need You3:33

Share your thoughts on Tabu Ley with the community:

0 Comments

    Missing lyrics by Tabu Ley?

    Know any other songs by Tabu Ley? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Tabu Ley tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which band is NOT from Oklahoma?
    A The Flaming Lips
    B Brooks & Dunn
    C The Chainsaw Kittens
    D Broncho

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!