Mohombi

Mohombi, born Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo, is a Swedish-Congolese singer, songwriter and dancer, born on 28 August 1986 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The son of a Swedish mother and a Congolese father, he grew up in the Congo before his family fled the war and settled in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1999. Exposed to diverse musical influences by his parents from an early age, he developed a passion for singing. He attended the Rytmus music high school in Stockholm and made his stage debut at seventeen in the Swedish production of the musical Wild Side Story. He later earned a degree in music from the Stockholm Conservatory of Music. Mohombi speaks Swedish, French, English and Lingala.

From 2004 to 2008 he was a member of the Swedish hip-hop group Avalon, which he formed with his brother Djo Moupondo, known as DJ Djo. The group combined dancehall and contemporary hip-hop with distinctive African rhythms. Avalon sold more than half a million records and won the Kora Awards, the African equivalent of the Grammys, in the category Best Group – Diaspora Europe/Caribbean.

Seeking a solo career, Mohombi went to Los Angeles where he met producer Redone. He became the first artist signed to RedOne’s 2101 Records label, a joint venture with Universal Music Group.

His first solo single, Bumpy Ride, was released in August 2010 and became a top 10 hit in several European countries. He collaborated with Swedish rapper Lazee on Do It. The single Miss Me was recorded with American rapper Nelly, and Dirty Situation with R&B singer Akon. His debut studio album, MoveMeant, was released in Europe in February 2011.

Since 2012 he has been one of three directors and co-owners of a record and publishing company.