Orchestre Virunga is an iconic East African band, celebrated for its captivating blend of Congolese soukous and rumba with distinct Kenyan and Tanzanian musical flavors. The group was founded in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1981 by the charismatic Congolese singer and bandleader Samba Mapangala, who had previously led Les Kinois after relocating from Kinshasa in the 1970s. Virunga quickly became one of the most popular bands in all of East Africa, thanks to Mapangala's beautiful high tenor voice, memorable melodies, and the band's rich, intricate sound that featured complex, interlocking guitar lines and vibrant horn arrangements. Their signature style—singing in both Congolese Lingala and Kenyan Swahili—allowed them to forge a deep connection with a diverse regional audience, securing their place as one of the "golden era" acts of Kenyan Lingala music.
The band's international fame was cemented with the release of their classic track "Malako," which later anchored the internationally acclaimed album Virunga Volcano in 1990. This album was a major breakthrough for Mapangala and the band, earning critical praise for its earthy, bluesy horn interjections and brilliant guitar solos, and propelling them onto the global "world music" scene. Following this success, Orchestre Virunga began extensive international touring across Europe and North America. Although Mapangala eventually settled in the United States in the late 1990s, the band's legacy remains a fusion of Central and East African traditions, and Mapangala continues to record and perform, keeping the spirit and classic sound of Orchestre Virunga alive for new generations of fans.