Afro Cape

ABOUT

PAPY FOU DE SON, BORN 67.12.28 COUNTRY 

DRC-KINSHASA.

Lilao Garemwa known as Papy Fou De Son from 

DRC- KINSHASA and born 67.12.28 started his 

music career at his primary school and started-

playing at church. He mostly focused on playing 

drums(konga). Papy never attended any formal 

training for music and was self-taught how to play 

at the age of seven years old.He made his first 

guitar from “ Castro container “, and this led to 

the beginning of his music career. Papy was 

invited to meet with Papa Wemba, a very well-

kown musician in Kinshasa. He recognized his 

potential and was impressed with the band and 

their performance.

In 1994 he went to an audition for the big band, 

Zaiko Lampo Congo. He was successful and was 

accepted as a band member and played with 

them untill 1998. When things became very unpleasant and the living conditions was not of good 

due too the war in the country Papy decided to leave and move to Angola. He joined a gospel choir, 

Rayige D’ Angola, as a lead guitarist and played with them for two years. At that stage Papy received 

an invitation from the young Bakuba band in South Africa. He joined in 2000 and travel and played at 

various clubs and platforms within South Africa. In 2006 Afro Fiesta was born and in that same year 

they released their first CD, “Matinda” which aired on radio stations such the SABC and their music 

became popular to radio music lovers that tuned into the SABC station. The band performed at 

variouse platforms such as “ The Rocks, Mama Africa, Manenbergs and the Crypt. They were also 

invited to Stroke City in the UK where they performed for Archbishop Desmond Tutu, as well as Pele, 

the famouse Brazilian International soccer player. In 2021 Papy was invited to perform at the Franco 

Namibian Cultural Centre. In 2018 he recorded with the “Playing for change” , playing Carlos Santana 

music. He appeared in television commercials,locally and internationally.” My end goal is to 

contunue using music as an instrument to empower the youth and teach other kids how to play an 

instrument”. He wished to become a music lecture and apply all his knowledge and skills to his 

teachings and change lives using his skills.