Liz Ikamba is a Afro-soul-folk artist based in Brighton UK
British-Congolese (DRC) singer and multi-instrumentalist creating her own brand of Afro-soul-folk. She uses loop pedal-based beats, groove-driven riffs and soul-infused vocals to create her own brand of Afro-soul-folk.
Liz cross pollinates musical and cultural influences, seamlessly blending the rich and vibrant sounds of Congo folk music with elements of Jazz and Soul.
Liz was born in DR Congo and came to the UK with her family aged 4. Always singing and dancing as a child, she continued to develop her musicality in school choirs and orchestras in her early years, and singing a cappella and R&B as a teenager.
The Ikamba family welcomed musical diversity ranging from Congolese choral music and Soukous to Western Classical. This awareness of global musical and cultural influences continues to inform her artistic and musical output.
In addition to her work as a performing artist, Liz is also a motivational vocal leader and creative facilitator in her outreach work with groups and communities of all ages and backgrounds. Her debut EP pays special tribute to her late parents. The title track ‘Mama’ is the first song she wrote in Lingala, dedicated to her mother who traveled to the Congo to live and work as a midwife.
“Ba Yeba is about feeling displaced and far from home. It’s a message to my family members across the globe, and to my younger self who left DR Congo as a young child to live in the UK, reminding them that they are always welcome when they are with me.”
The Lingala lyrics are:‘Mama a ngai, mwana na ngai, yaya na ngai, leki na ngai’ – my mother, my child, my sibling
‘Ba Yeba, ba yebana’ – they know, may they know
Featured on episode 34 of Discover Her Music Podcast
Song: Ba Yeba
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