BANTUNANI, aka Michel Nzau (born March 15, 1976) is an Congolese singer-songwriter,director and producer . Bantunani is well known for his live performances with his funky and afro dances. Some of his songs made him also known as activism. He has released seven regular studio albums, mostly through his own label company Blackninja Publishing and has toured internationally. Bantunani conceive his music as a creative platform around musicians and engineer like Bob Katz, Bernie Grundman, Brian Gardner and Jean Loup Morette from studios Davout with who he used to work for mix at Studios Davout. He is also reached world top charts four times with songs like Kivustan, Letthemtalk, LookBack and African Groovin.
One is intrigued listening to this wild group with vindictive and melancholic undertones. This « multiracial » group proposes a nu-rumba concept based on afro-groove fusion, where afro-rhythms meet hip-hop, funk, soul, and jazz. The group’s songs are powerful and aware. Bantunani’s music is both a consciousness raising and a dancing music.
Under the driving force of Michel Nzau, the group is a perfect blend between traditional and modern rhythms where every member brings in his or her own musical culture. The group is in perpetual re-evaluation of its artistic approach vis-a-vis its artistic and humanistic goals.