Stany Kalanda

STANY KALANDA (born 1992 in Kinshasa) is a musician and composer known by his stage name “Bouton Likembe.” He proudly carries the voice of a nearly forgotten traditional instrument: the Likembe, an instrument of historical significance originating from Congo Central. Through his instrument of choice, Bouton Likembe explores and blends various musical genres such as Rumba, Jazz, Reggae, and even fusions with Western classical music. Since his discovery in 2010 during a performance at a funeral in a suburban neighborhood of Kinshasa, Kalanda has evolved from a subcultural artist to a recognized professional musician. Beyond his solo career, he is the founder of a music group and conducts Likembe workshops, traveling the world with numerous national and international projects:

COUP FATAL (2014 & 2019) with Fabrizio Cassol, Rodriguez Vangama, and Alain Platel (including at Festival d’Avignon, TorinoDanza, Wiener Festwochen, Théâtre de Namur, Théâtre du Rond-Point) REQUIEM POUR L with Fabrizio Cassol and Alain Platel (including at Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Festival de Marseille, Théâtre National de Bruxelles, Schauspiel Leipzig) FESTIVAL PIANO DE KINSHASA (2023) — special mention “Revelation Artist” ECOSYSTEM (2023) with GROUP50:50 (Residenz Schauspiel Leipzig and Kaserne Basel) MBUTU MBUTU (2023) with Cie Ambassa (Centre Wallonie Bruxelles in Kinshasa and in Brussels at Charleroi Danse)