Freed Mushaga

BIO

Freed Mushaga is a dynamic African Soul/Pop, Ethnofolk and African Jazz artist from war-torn Bukavu, DRC, known for his scenic energy and power, vigorous voice, and artistic innovation echoing giants like Michael Jackson at the same time as Angélique Kidjo, Ella Fitzgerald or Lokua Kanza. Mushaga has created a distinctive blend of organic local music from Bukavu, global sounds, and African pop with a classically-trained-like finesse, although self-taught. Since 2020, when it all started, he has steadily built a reputation for combining artistic excellence with social engagement, crafting songs that explore identity, resilience, love, dignity, and belonging across his diverse discography, projects, and collaborations. His sound, often referred to as spiritually deep and heavy, has resonated deeply with audiences across Africa and beyond, earning him recognition and validation (Finalist of #sixtypercentofus challenge Nigeria 2022, MCM of Anyiko PR Kenya in April 2025; Lokua Kanza, Gérald Toto, Jaja Bashengezi’s validation), and enabling him to share stages with renowned names like Alesh, Sylent Nqo, Anzo Ngubeni, Taya König-Tarasevich or DJ Vadim. As a proud member of the East African Records collective in Uganda and of the Global Impact Musician Program, Freed has won over fans with standout performances and residencies across major cities in Africa, from Nairobi, to Harare, Joburg, Cape Town, and, recently, in 2026, in Madison, WI, USA, with plans to tour soon West Africa. His appearances at major festivals and events in Eastern, Southern Africa and Mid-West America have solidified his reputation as a very powerful and social-impact creative, while his growing media presence and ongoing tours reflect his enduring mission to share his art with the world. After his Je Suis - The Live Experience release later 2025, Freed announces the release of single #samana in collaboration with Belgian Spoken Word Artist Joy Slam on September 4, after which an even bigger project will be coming out. Freed plays an even wider role in the music sector in Africa. He leads JUA ASBL that is an organization based in Goma, DRC that aims at empowering musicians from the Great Lakes Region to evolve professionally and to use their music as a tool for social commitment in a region fractured by conflicts. As part of that, he has led several initiatives including JUA - The Double Concert, through which he co-won the Music In Africa Live Grant 2022  , JUA - WORLD MUSIC MEETING, and several volunteering endeavors in collaboration with the Kilele Summit , Music In Africa Foundation's ACCES and more.