Alongside Franco, Tabu Ley is one of the most influential and prolific musicians in contemporary Zairean music, with a catalogue of over 200 albums. After joining Le Grand Kalle’s band, African Jazz, in 1959, Ley subsequently founded the groundbreaking band, Afrisa International. While most bands of the time remained fairly static on stage, Ley introduced energetic and infectious choreography. He openly courted international recognition, singing in French and Spanish as well as Lingala. A leading proponent of the rumba and soukous rhythms, Ley also harnessed new technology, using synthesizers to update the centuries old likembe rhythm. After recording the acclaimed Exil-Ley and Africa Worldwide albums in the US, Ley returned to Kinshasa as a government minister in President Kabila’s cabinet.