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The music of Elie Mabanza is born from his roots in Africa and influenced by his love of rhythm, harmony and a need to tell his story through song.
Elie picked up guitar at age 10 after playing percussion in his church from age 8. His brother taught him the basics and he took it from there, developing his own chords and rhythmic style.
His father forbade his brother and him to play music until they graduated High School, fearful they would not get an education and be unable to support themselves. The boys, with the help of an understanding mother, snuck practicing in when papa wasn’t home. Once Elie graduated from High School, he began to play full time, first on the streets and soon getting gigs at restaurants and parties. Word spread of his talent; he had a little money in his pocket; he was becoming well known. With the birth of his son, Prince, Elie was doubly motivated and until the war turned his life into chaos, he was providing for his son and the boys' mother, sometimes on only $100 a month. Life was very rough in his native Congo and music helped him to survive financially and emotionally.
Elie’s songs became politicized in war-torn Congo and in 2014 he was forced to flee for his life. He came to the United States as a political refugee and was granted asylum. Elie had been held in prison and tortured and were it not for a fortunate escape and the aid of his father, he would have been killed.
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