History of Soukous: '80s

After spreading across Africa, soukous arrived in Europe in the ‘80s. Its arresting take on rumba quickly found popularity in the continent, especially in Paris, and attracted many African musicians, who incorporated synths into the sound. Soon soukous acts like Kanda Bongo Man, who became a star after moving to France, and Pepe Kalle gave birth to their own dance sensation—kwassa kwassa.