Pierre Kwenders is a Congolese musician who relocated to Montréal in 2001, there he started to nurture his passion for music while singing in a catholic choir in the city.

With two EPs and three full-length albums under his belt, the singer/songwriter has received multiple awards for his work reviving and reinterpreting Congolese rumba. He is also one of the founders of Moonshine, a collective that organises some of memorable global beats parties around the world, fuelled by his desire to share music without boundaries.

“Papa Wemba” is a single extracted from his latest album, José Louis and the Paradox of Love, released in April 2022 via Toronto-based label Arts & Crafts. The tune pays tribute to the iconic Congolese musician who deeply inspired Kwenders.

The song is also featured in his recent performance on KEXP, which you can watch in its entirety HERE.