Joseph Kabasele (1930-1982), known under the pseudonym of Big Kallé, electrify the Zairian rumba alias with Nico Kassanda Doctor Nico, the biggest guitarist of the time.
In 1953, he/it creates in Léopoldville one of the first modern groups of the country, The African Jazz that will act as model in the orchestras of dance on nearly the whole continent.
His/her/its song "Independence Cha Cha", composed in 1960 and become a hymn to the liberty for good number of freshly independent African countries, is the international detonator of the Zairian rumba.

The African Jazz is therefore a creation of Joseph Kabasele (Kabasele Tshamala) that distinguished itself since 1951 by his/her/its songs recorded in the Edition Opikas.
In Matadi where he/it is born, he/it could have made some studies at the Fathers of Scheut and have initiated to the choral song. His/her/its artistic production kept the print of this "aristocratic" origin (kalaka). "Kallé Jef" or Big Kallé " (his/her/its nicknames) returned precisely efficient the creation of his/her/its orchestra in 1953 with the registration of the named song "African Jazz."
Already Kassanda (nicknamed " Nico Mobali " then " Dr Nico "), virtuoso of the guitar, is present. They will be joined by Manu Dibango and Tabu Leg Rochereau.
The Round Table. (1960).   Thin January 1960, the demonstration of the Round Table united, in Bruxelles, les Congolese political leaders and the Belgian authorities in order to negotiate the contours of the new Congo. The general district of the Congolese delegates Plaza était le, close to the Place Rogier. One had the brilliant idea then to make come the African Jazz in Brussels. The project was to allow the Congolese delegation to recover, in Brussels, in full winter, an ambiance a few as at home.

January 27, 1960, the political Round Table fixed the date of the independence. It will be June 30. Of the 27 janvier, à the Plaza hotel, singer Kabasele and the Afican Jazzes threw "Independence Cha Cha" in the evening, a hymn to the liberation.   Independence Cha Cha.   Manda Tchebwa, musicologist, describes the strength "of independence cha cha": it is the song of all! - "Independence cha cha to "e zui: the independence, chacha, that we have just had, it is in lingala. "Ba to win oh", it is in tshiluba. "Oh Kimpawanza cha cha tubakidi", it is in kikongo. "Assoreco... ", here is, he/it mentions the different parties of the time more the big leaders of this time: Tshombé, Kamitatu, Mbuta Kanza, Kasa-Vubu, Kalonji, etc...
Therefore it is indeed a song that has a vocation unifier and that summarizes the idea toward which one stretches, that means the independence in the unit.

Benoît Debourse