Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu (13 November 1937 or 1940 – 30 November 2013), better known as
Tabu Ley Rochereau, was a leading
African rumba singer-songwriter from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was the leader of
Orchestre Afrisa International, as well as one of Africa's most influential
vocalists and prolific
songwriters. Along with guitarist
Dr Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered
soukous (African rumba) and internationalised his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with
Cuban,
Caribbean and
Latin American rumba. He has been described as "the Congolese personality who, along with
Mobutu, marked Africa's 20th century history." He was dubbed "the African
Elvis" by the
Los Angeles Times. After the fall of the Mobutu regime, Tabu Ley also pursued a political career.