Faya Tess, born Thérèse Kishila Ngoyi in 1966 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most popular rumba and soukous singers from her country, often called the "Freshwater Mermaid." She initially abandoned her engineering studies to pursue music, which led her to join the renowned Afrisa International Band led by the legendary Tabu Ley Rochereau in 1986. During her ten-year stint with Afrisa, she quickly became a prominent figure and headliner, recording alongside stars like M'bilia Bel. Her debut song with the band was "Camarade," and she was also featured on the hit "Nadina" in 1988. Her time with the group was marked by successful albums such as Moto Akokufa (1989), Allo Paris (1991), and Sam Tora (1993).
After her time with Afrisa, Faya Tess launched a solo career in 2000 with the album Keba, which earned her the award for best singer in Central Africa. She later established herself in Paris and became known for breathing fresh life into rhumba classics by great Congolese musicians, including her mentor Tabu Ley, Franco Luambo, and Grand Kallé. She has released several volumes of these reworkings, often featuring collaborations with fellow Congolese stars like Nyboma Mwandido and Caen Madoka. Her rich discography includes solo releases like "Libala ya temps plein" (2009) and "Desoleee" (2014), cementing her status as a vibrant artist who both celebrates the traditions and continues to shape the sound of modern Congolese music.