DRC: Freed Mushaga to release Joy Slam collaboration ‘SAMANA’ in September

The song combines folk, soul and spoken word to explore themes of freedom, mortality and personal responsibility. It questions the ways people define their lives through status, wealth, power and social roles, instead focusing on the choices they make and the legacy they leave behind.

According to the artists, ‘SAMANA’ treats freedom not simply as personal independence, but as the ability to live authentically, confront inherited patterns of oppression and take responsibility for one's choices.

The collaboration follows the pair’s first meeting in 2022 between Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Bujumbura, Burundi. Their shared interest in using music and artistic expression to promote peace, healing and social change eventually led to the recording of the track.

‘SAMANA’ combines Mushaga’s melodic and soulful approach with Slam's spoken-word performance, creating a dialogue between song and poetry.

The release is also expected to serve as an introduction to a larger project Mushaga is developing with artists from Africa and beyond. Details of the project have not yet been disclosed.

Born and raised in Bukavu in eastern DRC, Mushaga’s music has been influenced by his experiences of conflict, displacement and mobility. His work incorporates Afro-soul, Afropop, folk, jazz and African storytelling traditions, with recurring themes of identity, resilience, love, dignity and belonging.

Since beginning his professional music career in 2020, Mushaga has performed and undertaken residencies in several African cities, including Nairobi, Harare, Johannesburg and Cape Town. In 2026, he also performed in Madison, Wisconsin, in the United States.

He won the Music In Africa Live Fund 2022 and was a finalist in Nigeria’s #SixtyPercentOfUs competition. His work has also received recognition from artists including Lokua Kanza and Gérald Toto.

Mushaga previously released the JE SUIS EP and JE SUIS – The Live Experience, a live project recorded in Nairobi with Afro-jazz musicians. The latter expanded on the original EP through new and remixed material, live instrumentation and poetry.

Beyond his work as a performer, Mushaga leads JUA ASBL, an organisation based in the DRC that supports musicians from the Great Lakes region and promotes music as a tool for social engagement. The organisation has been involved in initiatives including JUA – The Double Concert and JUA – World Music Meeting.

‘SAMANA’ will be released worldwide on 4 September 2026 on Bandcamp and major streaming platforms.