Few genres capture the rhythmic roots of African music more fiercely than ndombolo, a subgenre of the soukouss sound characterised by its dance-centric high tempos. As one of the genre’s modern-era godfathers, Congoloese superstar Fally Ipupa brought the genre back to the fore with the release of his 2014’s single “The Original”, reignited a love of homegrown sounds by fusing them with contemporary, urban-pop moods. “Ndombolo soukouss combines these two genres to create a rhythmic and danceable musical style, with lyrics usually in Lingala, one of the national languages of the DRC,” Ipupa tells Apple Music. “Ndombolo soukouss songs are often hymns to love, dance, and celebration, with themes that touch on people's daily lives.” Underpinned by these themes, ndombolo sounds not only help central Africans in the diaspora to connect with their heritage, but also drive deeper connections within and across the continent. As Ipupa explains, “Ndombolo soukouss has had a great influence on the new generation of Congolese and African musicians in the way they create music. First of all, the fast-paced, danceable rhythm of Ndombolo Soukouss has been used in many contemporary African music styles, including Ivorian coupé-décalé Nigerian Afrobeat, Angolan kuduro, and many others. This influence is also reflected in the way artists integrate dance and body movements into their stage performances.” To celebrate the enduring inspirations of ndbombolo music upon modern musical soundscapes, Fally Ipupa assembles a collection of the genre’s greatest hits, including tracks from Wenge Musica, Koffi Olomide, Extra Musica, Quartier Latin, Awilo Longomba, and more. Hear something that captivates you—and gets you moving? Add it to your library.