Congolese singer and songwriter, Agressivo Nyandoro, is setting his sights on Nigeria as he looks to expand his musical reach beyond the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), identifying the country’s influential music scene as an important destination in his ambition to connect with audiences across Africa.
The Lubumbashi-born musician believes Nigeria offers an opportunity to introduce his sound to a wider audience, particularly as African music continues to cross national boundaries and create opportunities for collaborations among artistes from different countries.
For Nyandoro, the interest in Nigeria goes beyond simply attracting new listeners. He hopes to become part of a broader African music community where artistes can share their cultures, sounds and creative experiences.
“Looking ahead, I would like my music to reach more people outside the DRC. Nigeria interests me, as do other African markets where music circulates widely,” he said.
His interest in Nigeria comes against the backdrop of the country’s growing influence in the African music industry, with Nigerian artistes and sounds enjoying audiences across the continent and beyond.
Nyandoro hopes to tap into this expanding musical landscape while introducing Nigerian listeners to the distinctive storytelling and cultural influences that shape his music.
Having started his musical journey as a guitarist in 2009, he began releasing his own songs in 2012. Since then, he has developed a sound inspired by everyday experiences, using music to explore relationships, family responsibilities and social issues.
Unlike artistes who approach music primarily as entertainment, Nyandoro believes songs should also communicate meaningful messages and encourage listeners to reflect on issues affecting society.
“I would simply say that I am a message. When I sing, I am not just trying to make people dance. I also want to tell them something, help them understand a situation, or encourage them to think about what is happening around them,” he said.
This philosophy is reflected in his song, Jonathan, which examines infidelity, an absent husband and the consequences of neglecting family responsibilities. The singer said the storyline draws from situations he has observed in society.
Beyond his individual releases, Nyandoro is also exploring collaborations as a means of reaching listeners outside his home country.
He has worked with Tanzanian musician Stamina Shorwebwenzi and Shakis Boy on Ipo Siku (Remix), while his EP, Déterminé, features Congolese artistes Celeo Scram and Jaysix Abdallah.
He believes such musical partnerships offer African artistes an opportunity to introduce their sounds to unfamiliar audiences and build connections across the continent.
“An artist from the DRC can reach an audience in Tanzania, just as a Tanzanian artist can introduce their music to Congolese listeners,” he said.
As he works towards expanding his international profile, Nigeria remains one of the markets he hopes to conquer, with the singer looking forward to taking his music and message to a new generation of African listeners.
