The man who single-handedly gave the world the infectious Kwasa Kwasa dance; Kanda Bongo Man is one of the most well known stars of world music, and one of the first pioneers of African Soukous music.

He will be bringing his infectious African sound to Cumbria in in the summer, with a date at the Brewery Arts Centre on June 9.

Championed by John Peel and Andy Kershaw in the late 80’s, he developed a huge loyal fanbase, and was a key figure in the introduction of African & World music to the mainstream.

His music can still be regularly heard on mainstream radio – especially BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 3.

Always been driven by optimism and happiness, his exhilarating performances are fast moving and exciting combinations of dance music and dance moves rooted deep in the Congolese tradition.

The famous saying among his followers goes: “If Kanda Bongo Man doesn’t make you want to dance, call an ambulance. You’re dead.”

Still hugely popular today, Kanda Bongo Man maintains superstar status in Africa, as well as among fans of African music worldwide.

Identifiable by its shimmering interlocking guitar parts and complex rhythms, Kanda Bongo Man has earned his reputation as an ambassador for African culture across the world, having played shows all over Asia, the Americas, Australia and Europe.

Born in 1955 in Inongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kanda Bongo Man’s soukous musical style derives from Congolses rumba incorporating longer dance sequences and playing at a typically faster pace.

It has its origins in the 1960s, and came to be popularised outside of the Congo, rising to prominence on France in the 1980s.

It was in the Paris music scene that Kanda Bongo Man found his feet, where he pioneered shorter songs within the genre that were more suitable for radio airplay.

He also encouraged guitar solos at the end of every verse, whereas previously in the genre they followed several verses. It was from this that the dancing style evolved.

He has since gone on to release 17 albums since the early 80s.