Faya Tess

She was born on October 8, 1966 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. Renouncing studies leading to an engineering degree, Faya Tess joined one of the two great currents of Congolese rumba and school, namely the international Afrisa of Lord Tabu Ley Rochereau in 1986. Element of hope of this together, she very quickly becomes a headliner with Lord Tabu Ley. Together, they will make the good times of the group. From 1986, she established herself as the essential element of the group. She excels in dancing and singing. Thus, for ten years she aligns different albums. Love is not the only theme she exploits in her songs. FAYA TESS is challenged by everything that affects human beings and very sensitive to injustices and human rights violations. So she will cause a scandal with the song "Selimo", a denunciation of marriages arranged and forced by parents. This song will bring her another consideration of society, that of a rebel. After ten years with Afrisa, she embarked on a solo career with her album Keba in 2000, which means "be careful, I'm coming". This album is a mix of different styles that she has mastered throughout her career. It is with this Album Keba that she received the prize for the best singer in Central Africa. The only leader of her destiny, she surrounds herself when the need arises with various artists of international renown. With her voice wrapped in velvet, she ignites hearts at the mere sight of her gentle eyes, hence her nickname the Freshwater Mermaid. The Freshwater Mermaid, we learn, has signed a contract for the production of an 8-track album which will be entirely financed by the label “une Plume-une voix-une Guitare” in France. It is one of the rare female voices whose echo has gone beyond national and even African borders. In the footsteps of legends, among others, Le Grand Kalle, Franco, Tabu Ley, she is one of the true followers and heirs of modern Congolese rumba.