Céline Banza

Céline Banza, born in February 1997 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, is a singer-songwriter blending traditional Congolese rhythms with contemporary R&B and folk. She gained international recognition in 2019 with her acoustic ballad *“Te Rembi”*—sung in her native Ngbandi language—which won the RFI Discovery Prize and spotlighted themes of female empowerment. After early performances at venues like Kisangani’s Alliance Française and a stint on *The Voice Afrique Francophone* (2017), she released her debut album *Praefatio* in 2021, featuring collaborations with artists like Youssoupha. Recent releases, including the *Prayer* EP (2022) and singles like *“Mbi Ndo Yemo”* (2020) and *“Na Mileli”* (2020), showcase her signature mix of introspective lyrics and acoustic-driven melodies rooted in her cultural identity.