Joyce N'Sana

Biography

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joyce N'Sana arrived in Montreal in 2006, after singing in the family group Les N'Sana. There she invented her signature, “Afrobluehop” — the meeting of Afro-blues, hip-hop and reggae — and sings in five languages: French, English, Lingala, Lari and Kikongo.

Her first EP (2016) stayed at the top of the Earshot world music chart for a whole summer. Then came the albums Obosso — a Coup de cœur of the Académie Charles Cros, in France — and Télama (2024). A Radio-Canada Revelation in 2021-2022, she also appeared on La Voix in 2017.

Her 2026 season takes her from the MASA in Abidjan (April) to Montreal's Nuits d'Afrique (18 July), by way of Toronto, Ottawa and Québec City. On 14 November 2026, she represents Canada at the Afrovision festival in Turin, Italy, before returning to Club Balattou on 20 November, for the “Écouter le nouveau monde” OFF night of Mundial Montréal.

Stages and milestones

Debut EP number one on the Earshot world music chart (summer 2016) · La Voix (2017) · Obosso — Coup de cœur of the Académie Charles Cros · Radio-Canada Revelation 2021-2022 · Télama (2024) · MASA, Abidjan (April 2026) · Afrovision festival — Turin, 14 November 2026 · Balattou night — Mundial Montréal OFF, 20 November 2026

Discography

Debut EP (2016) · Obosso (album) · Télama (album, 2024)

Gallery

Calendar

• 14 November 2026 — Turin, Italy — Afrovision festival, Magazzino sul Po · Focus Canada program
• 20 November 2026 — Montreal, Club Balattou — “Écouter le nouveau monde” night (Mundial Montréal OFF nights) · 8:45 p.m. · free admission

Show formats

• Concert — Afrobluehop (Afro-blues, hip-hop, reggae)