Barbara Kanam

Barbara Kanam Mutund (born 27 September 1973), known professionally as Barbara Kanam, is a Congolese singer-songwriter, producer, television personality, philanthropist, and politician currently serving as the Director General of the Cultural Promotion Fund of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Noted for her coloratura and soprano vocal range, Kanam is considered one of the most influential figures in 21st-century Congolese and African popular music. She sings in French, Swahili, Lingala, and English, often addressing themes such as peace, love, happiness, and women's rights in her lyrics. Born in Bukavu, she gained fame after being spotted by Ivorian reggae singer Alpha Blondy and producer Dodo Koné, who produced her 1999 debut studio album, Mokili. The album's gospel-influenced lead single "Mokili Ekoleka" earned Kanam a television appearance at the Koras Awards. Kanam's second studio album, Téti, released in 2003, won her Most Promising African Female Artist at the 2003 Kora Awards. Téti won her many accolades, including Best Female of Central Africa at Kunde d'Or and Tamani d'O for Best Female Hope in 2004, followed by two consecutive Black Music Awards in 2005 for Revelation of the Year and Best Video for "Bibi Madeleine: L'argent appelle l'argent" in 2005. Breaking away from Koné's record label in 2008, Kanam established Kanam Music. She released her third studio album, Karibu, in January 2010 and won the Okapi Award for Best Female Artist the following year. In July 2015, her fourth studio album, Zawadi, earned her the Ndule Award for Best Female Voice and the Afroca Music Award for Best Female Artist. Her fifth studio album, Transfiguration, premiered on 23 December 2023. Aside from music, Kanam owns Kanam Luxury, a boutique in Kinshasa specializing in her branded products, including the Barbara Luxury champagne line.