Robinio Mundibu

Mongala Akelembi (born 4 November 1985), professionally known as Robinio Mundibu, is a Congolese singer, songwriter and dancer. Akelembi began his career as a protégé of Do Akongo and later worked with Tutu Caludji, an ex-singer of Wenge Musica BCBG. In 2009, he joined Wenge Musica Maison Mère before going solo in 2014 with his debut singles "Vantard" and "Mbonzimbonzi". The following year, Akelembi debuted four singles "Ye Yo Ok", "Etirette", "Zuwa", and "Compliqué". On 26 May 2021, he premiered his EP Noir et Blanc.

Early life and career

Mongala Akelembi was born on 4 November 1985, in Mbuji-Mayi, Kasaï-Oriental, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He then attempted to join Wenge Musica Maison Mère and Quartier Latin International but failed the selection test. In May 2017, Mundibu performed the song at his father's funeral and stated that its lyrics had the power to "transform sadness into joy". To promote Chiffre 9, Mundibu sold-out two consecutive concerts at Halle de la Gombe, followed by a concert in Goma on 26 November 2017. He concluded the year with a show at Pomba Branca in Angola, followed by a gig at Piscine Alvalade in Angola on 1 January 2018. In August 2018, Mundibu was brought onto the stage by Fally Ipupa during his showcase in Brazzaville, where he performed a rendition of Chiffre 9. To promote Chiffre 9 further, Mundibu embarked on his "Playing the Balloon Tour" with shows in Brazzaville, Gabon, and Ivory Coast.

In April 2019, Mundibu joined Awilo Longomba on stage during his concert in Kampala. On 2 June 2019, he performed at the B-One Music show in Kinshasa, attended by the Congolese Minister of National Economy, Vital Kamerhe, and his spouse, Hamida Chatur, who were spotted dancing to "Tsha Nanu Boye". Mundibu subsequently received a special visit from former Congolese First Lady, Olive Lembe di Sita. The song's music video showcased Mundibu and his group dancing bare-chest in a plot, fields, and even in the street amidst the crowd. One week after its debut, Mundibu announced on his Instagram that he had started working on the "Misu Na Misu" remix with Awilo Longomba.

On 22 June, the DRC's National Commission for the Censorship of Songs and Performances (CNCCS) barred "Misu Na Misu" from being broadcast on television and radio due to its sexually suggestive lyrics. The lyrics, particularly "Oko mata nga lelo, Oko mata nga na mokongo" (translating to: "Today you are going to ride on me, today you are going to ride on my back"), were adjudicated obscene, construed as "nothing more and nothing less than a disguised call for sexual antics." Parenthetically, the phrase "Kotisa bimisa" (meaning "bring in and bring out") was perceived as a metaphor for "coitus." In July 2019, Mundibu presented a live concert at Village Chez Ntemba in Kinshasa, sharing the spotlight with Gaz Mawete, Ibrator, Anita Mwarabu, Pomba Leader, and Maman Kalunga.

2020–present: Noir et Blanc and standalone releases Mundibu began recording his debut studio album, Noir et Blanc, in 2017. Initially slated for release in 2018, the album's debut was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then shifted his focus towards a five-track EP and announced the forthcoming release of the album in the ensuing years. On 20 December 2019, he premiered "Bina Na Bina," a follow-up to his previous hit, "Misu Na Misu". "Bina Na Bina" achieved considerable popularity in Africa, garnering over one million views and recognition in France and Belgium. While working on Noir et Blanc 's production, Mundibu was the opening act for Fally's concert at Accor Arena. The track "Goûter," blending ndombolo and coupé-décalé, premiered on 6 November 2020, which featured Freddy Mbolongo, a prominent Congolese belly dancer. The multilingual track "Tonight", fusing soukous urban rhythm and incorporating lyrics in English, French, and Lingala, debuted on 9 December 2020. Noir et Blanc was officially released on 26 May 2021 and included the three previously released singles "Bina Na Bina", "Goûter", and "Tonight". Despite the ban, "Kulumba" paradoxically dominated discos, bars, and clubs nationwide and amassed one million YouTube views within a month. In April 2023, Mundibu hosted a concert in Matonge, during which he performed Fally's "Mayday" from his seventh studio album, Formule 7. Following this, he introduced "Eloko", a single blending amapiano and ndombolo, featuring Gaz Mawete. On 31 May 2024, Mundibu introduced the single "Ne Lâche Pas", a fusion of amapiano, Afrobeats, and ndombolo, which gave rise to an eponymous dance style. On 20 October, he unveiled the ndombolo-inflected animated single "Epompa". Mundibu made a notable guest appearance at Héritier Watanabe's concert at the Dôme de Paris on 24 May 2025. On 7 June, he performed at Théâtre du Gymnase Marie Bell, where he was joined onstage by Héritier Watanabe.

Discography

Extended play

Chiffre 9 (2016, EPM and Cantos Music) Noir et Blanc (2021, EPM)