Félix Wazekwa

Félix Nlandu Wazekwa (born 14 September 1962) is a Congolese singer-songwriter, author, filmmaker, dancer, and bandleader. Known for his Lingala deep lyrics and baritone voice, he is regarded as an influential figure in soukous and Congolese rumba music and one of the most prominent lyricists of his generation.

Wazekwa began his music career as a member of the Kinshasa-based group Kin-Verso. In 1995, he released his debut solo studio album, Tétragramme. In 1997, Wazekwa formed his band, Cultur'A Pays-Vie, and released his second studio album titled Pauvres, Mais. His third studio album, Bonjour Monsieur, published in November 1998, became a significant success throughout Africa and won him the ACMCO Revelation of the Year award. In 1999, Wazekwa released his fourth studio album, Sponsor, followed by Signature (2001) and Yo Nani? (2002). His later albums include Et Après... (2004), Faux Mutu Moko Boye (2005), Que Demande Le Peuple? (2008), Mémoire ya Nzambe (2010), Adamu na Eva (2013), and I Love You, which came out in January 2015.

Wazekwa gained widespread recognition with his breakout ndombolo-infused single, "Fimbu", which debuted in September 2015 in support of the Congolese national football team, nicknamed Les Léopards. It gained significant popularity during the run-up to the 2016 African Nations Championship and went on to become a sleeper hit in 2017 during the Africa Cup of Nations. The song also introduced the "Fimbu chicotte" dance, where players raised their right hand, snapped it down like a whip, kept their left arm stretched out, and moved together with short, matching steps across the field. In 2020, Wazekwa released his thirteenth studio album, Article 23.

His book Les Petits Bonbons de la Sagesse was published by Éditions Bergame on 10 January 2018.