ZILLA MANIKONGO

Dadju, Maître Gims, Niska, Gradur, Damso… With its danceable beat and steadfast connection with “La Sape,” Congolese rap music has undeniably established itself on the world stage. With samples borrowed from soukous and ndombolo, the rhythmic hip-hop, reggae and R&B beats, and a prominence given to traditional Congolese instruments and the Lingala language, the Ontarian Zilla ManiKongo is one of those rallying forces that brings crowds to their feet. was theRulers in the Kingdom of Kongo were given the royal title of ManiKongo, and it’s a fair bet that this recipient of a grant from Ottawa’s cultural funding program is on his way to the top.