Rey Sapienz hails from Nord Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he began rapping and performing with Congolese soukous music as a child. In 2012, he traveled to Kampala to collaborate with local producers, but due to the war, he could not return to Congo and extended his stay in Uganda. He is now a resident producer at the Nyege Nyege headquarters and a manager for the label.

Over the years, Rey Sapienz has developed a unique approach to popular Congolese dance styles soukous and kalindula, blending them with dark, driving techno, lively dancehall rhythms, and synthesizers, creating a unique genre he calls “Congo techno.” Rapping psychedelic vocals over dark beats, he has become one of the breakout stars of the music scene. Sapienz is also a certified Ableton lecturer who regularly conducts workshops for emerging new producers in Kampala.

His first full-length album, “Na Zala Zala,” is set to be released on July 16th by Nyege Nyege Tapes, following the success of his two earlier EPs, “Hakuna Kulala” (2017) and “Mushoro” (2019).

Rey Sapienz describes his work as a combination of dark, psychedelic vocals and ominous beats that tell stories of war experiences and his life journey. As he says, “My life has never been easy, but it has always been full of adventure and excitement. My music has evolved to reflect these experiences and to give us strength.”