Artists like Touré Kunda

Orchestra Baobab is a Senegalese band established in 1970 as the house band of the Baobab Club in Dakar. Many of the band's original members had previously played with Star Band de Dakar in the 1960s. Directed by timbalero and vocalist Balla Sidibé, the group featured saxophonists Issa Cissoko and Thierno Koité, two singers, two guitarists and a rhythm section with drums, congas and bass guitar. Since their formation, the band has predominantly played a mix of son cubano, Wolof music, and to a lesser extent Mande musical traditions. Following the deaths of Cissoko in 2019 and Sidibé in 2020, Thierno Koité has become the leader of the band.

Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba, known professionally as Papa Wemba, was a Congolese singer, songwriter, bandleader, actor, and cultural icon. Widely hailed as the "King of Rumba", he is regarded as one of the most influential African musicians. Across a career spanning nearly five decades, he propelled Congolese rumba onto the world stage, and helped globalize African popular music. Through his voice, performance style, and fashion, he shaped the sound and image of contemporary Congolese culture, becoming a central figure in the rise of La SAPE, the flamboyant movement of elegance and style. Wemba is often considered one of the greatest African vocalists and performers of all time.

Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu, better known as Tabu Ley Rochereau, was a Congolese rumba singer and musician. He was the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International, as well as one of Africa's most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters. Along with guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered African rumba and internationalised his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean and Latin American rumba. He has been described as "the Congolese personality who, along with Mobutu, marked Africa's 20th century history", and is credited with composing over 3,000 songs and selling thousands of records.