Biography
Freed Mushaga is a Congolese singer-songwriter whose work blends musical sophistication with social engagement and Pan-African dialogue. Born in Bukavu, in eastern DRC, he draws on the African griot traditions while crafting a contemporary sound that mixes soul, African pop, jazz, folk, rumba, and Afrobeat.
Since his professional debut in 2020, Mushaga has performed throughout Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, at major festivals, showcases, and cultural platforms, from Kinshasa to Nairobi and Cape Town, demonstrating his growing influence across the continent.
In May 2025, he released his debut EP, JE SUIS, a poetic and introspective project exploring identity, resilience, love, and human dignity. The album received international media coverage from RFI, BBC, The Monitor, etc., and was later released as "JE SUIS - The Live Experience," recorded in Nairobi, currently touring East and Southern Africa and soon showcasing at UW Madison, USA. Freed has gained attention through his recent very successful performances at Goethe Institut Nairobi, Alliance Française Lusaka & Harare, and his very anticipated performance at Miombo Festival (Harare). Freed Mushaga also leads JUA, a non-profit initiative promoting cultural exchange, education, and community-based music projects, further solidifying his role as an artist whose practice extends beyond the stage.
Synopsis
JE SUIS – THE LIVE EXPERIENCE draws its roots from both personal and collective narratives. It emerges from lived experiences in the Great Lakes region, marked by a complex history, cultural richness, and ongoing processes of resilience and reconstruction. Simultaneously, it is inspired by a broader reflection on what it means to exist and create as an African artist in an interconnected and constantly evolving world. Musically, the project is influenced by Afro-soul, jazz, Afro-pop, and traditional folk expressions from Central and East Africa, while also embracing contemporary sounds from around the globe. This hybrid aesthetic allows for a constant dialogue between heritage and innovation, grounding the work in tradition while simultaneously opening it up to new forms.
Originally recorded in Nairobi with leading Afro-Jazz musicians from across the region and the DRC and toured across more than 10 countries, the album embodies a collective creative process. On stage, this spirit is extended further, where each performance becomes a site-specific experience shaped by encounter, dialogue, and collaboration. In this sense, JE SUIS - THE LIVE EXPERIENCE functions as both a concert and a cultural meeting point, fostering meaningful cross-cultural connections and contributing to a dynamic, interconnected African music ecosystem.
