Passion or Profession: Musician

Period: 1959–

Born in Mayumba, Ngoma moved with his family to Libreville in 1971. As a young man he played guitar for the band Capo Sound. In 1988, his career as a television cameraman took him to France for training. There he met music producer Manu Lima, who was impressed by Ngoma's combination of zouk and Africa rhythms. Carried by its single “Bane” (which means “Children” in the local Punu and Vili languages), Ngoma's first album became a huge seller and launched his career. He became one of Gabon's most successful musicians, and his music remains widely popular.