Les Quatre Étoiles


Les Quatre Étoiles, translating to "The Four Stars," was a Congolese soukous supergroup that lit up the African music scene, particularly in the 1980s and 90s, after its formation in Paris in 1982. The group was a genuine powerhouse, bringing together four established and revered musicians who had already forged successful individual careers: the dynamic vocalists Nyboma Mwan'dido and Wuta Mayi, the masterful lead guitarist Syran Mbenza, and the rhythmic anchor Bopol Mansiamina on bass and rhythm guitar. Their Paris-based collaboration effectively modernized Congolese rumba, injecting it with a sharp, vibrant sound that propelled the new genre of soukous to global popularity. Their music, characterized by dazzling guitar work from Mbenza and rich vocal harmonies, produced pan-African hits like "Sangonini" and the worldwide club success "Doly." Although the members eventually shifted their focus back to solo careers and later contributed to the acoustic rumba revival band Kékélé, their legacy as Les Quatre Étoiles remains a definitive benchmark for the "Congolo-Paris" sound, ranking them among the most influential ensembles in the history of African dance music.


Les Quatre Étoiles, translating to "The Four Stars," was a Congolese soukous supergroup that lit up the African music scene, particularly in the 1980s and 90s, after its formation in Paris in 1982. The group was a genuine powerhouse, bringing together four established and revered musicians who had already forged successful individual careers: the dynamic vocalists Nyboma Mwan'dido and Wuta Mayi, the masterful lead guitarist Syran Mbenza, and the rhythmic anchor Bopol Mansiamina on bass and rhythm guitar. Their Paris-based collaboration effectively modernized Congolese rumba, injecting it with a sharp, vibrant sound that propelled the new genre of soukous to global popularity. Their music, characterized by dazzling guitar work from Mbenza and rich vocal harmonies, produced pan-African hits like "Sangonini" and the worldwide club success "Doly." Although the members eventually shifted their focus back to solo careers and later contributed to the acoustic rumba revival band Kékélé, their legacy as Les Quatre Étoiles remains a definitive benchmark for the "Congolo-Paris" sound, ranking them among the most influential ensembles in the history of African dance music.

Top Tracks

Samba 1

Samba

Omba 2

Omba

Enfant Bamileke 3

Enfant Bamileke

Ba Relations 4

Ba Relations

Kelele 5

Kelele

Doly 6

Doly

Zunguluke 7

Zunguluke

Kabyby 8

Kabyby

Mayanga 9

Mayanga

Coup de Fil 10

Coup de Fil

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Sangonini
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Beginner's Guide to Africa – African Classics  Disc 2 of 3
Beginner's Guide to Africa – African Classics Disc 2 of 3
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