[7][8][9][10] Her music is a blend of traditional Congolese rumba, soukous, rap, and zouk,[11][12][10][13] with lyrics that often delve into themes of love, politics, hedonism, militancy, jealousy, sentimentality, and education.
[25] Her fourth studio album, Yalowa, released in 1996,[26][27] earned her the Best Singer of the Year from ACMCO (Association des Chroniqueurs de Musique du Congo).
She subsequently rejoined Les Redoutables in 1979 at Abeti's behest but once more exited in 1980 to pursue academic aspirations, enrolling in an institution in Gombe for executive secretarial training.
[17] During this period, Sam Mangwana introduced Mboyo on the Zaire N°1 show by Benoit Lukunku Sampu, which catapulted her into prominence at the Mama Angebi studio of the Office Zaïrois de Radio Télévision (OZRT).
[17] "Mpeve Ya Longo" struck a chord with women and received widespread recognition nationwide, with a debut tour alongside Tabu Ley in Angola and Kenya.
[13] She co-wrote and performed on Afrisa International's album Eswi Yo Wapi, which was produced in France and subsequently distributed across various African nations, including Kenya and Zaire.
[43] During that year, M'bilia Bel was featured on Afrisa International's album Faux Pas, which was released by Genidia, a label owned by Tabu Ley.
[42] In 1985, M'bilia Bel performed with Afrisa International on two albums: Boya Ye, released in the UK by Sterns, and La Beauté D'Une Femme.
[22] That same year, Afrisa International embarked on a tour of East Africa, performing in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, culminating in the album Nadina, which featured both Lingala and Swahili versions of the title track.
[13][23] M'bilia Bel departed from Afrisa International to pursue a solo career, citing the lack of transparency in management and the conflation of professional and personal relationships.
[23][13][55] In 1989, M'bilia Bel teamed up with Rigo Star and Madilu System for a trio album project called Exploration, which blended Congolese rumba, soukous, and rap.
[53][63] In a review for RootsWorld, Opiyo Oloya characterized the album as a "sacrilegious cross-breeding of African and western pop rhythms," noting subtle soukous influences that did not dominate the music.
[23][13] In 1998, she also participated in the production of Souzy Kasseya's song "Tokufa Pona Congo" alongside Wenge Musica Maison Mère, Jimmy Mbonda, Jolino Kiezowa, Général Defao, Tshala Muana, Paul Ndombe, Jossart N'Yoka Longo, Lassa Lacolyte, Adamo Ekula, Pépé Kallé, and King Kester Emeneya.
[69][70] In July 2003, M'bilia Bel won ACMCO's Best Singer of 2002 in their annual referendum,[29] and in December, Welcome's breakout single "Douceur" earned her the Best Central Africa Female accolade at the Kora Awards in Sun City.
[30][31][32] From 27 September to 9 October 2004, M'bilia Bel performed at Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel for the commemorative events marking the tenth anniversary of Abeti Masikini's death.
Belissimo was arranged by Souzy Kasseya and includes backing vocals from Awa Maïga, Melodie Tabu, Monique Ouadjah Koko, Prince Lessa Lassan, and Shakembo.
[75][76][77] In October 2007, M'bilia Bel embarked on a tour of Kenya, headlining two concerts, one of which was the Luo Sigalagala event organized by the GoDown Arts Centre.
[84][85][86] On 17 October, she performed at the Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel in tribute to Franco Luambo, with former OK Jazz members and contemporary rumba artists, including Koffi Olomide, Malage de Lugendo, Papa Noël Nedule, Wuta Mayi, Edo Nganga, Michel Boyibanda, Jossart N'Yoka Longo, Bozi Boziana, Manda Chante, Papa Wemba, Tshala Muana, Simaro Lutumba, and Bana Ok.[87] On 28 May the next year, she participated in the Élection de Miss Tshangu, which was part of the 6th edition of the Festival Socioculturel de la Tshangu (Festsha) held at Hotel Apocalypse 22 in the Masina commune.
During this performance, M'bilia Bel was accompanied by guitarist Lokassa Ya Mbongo, and the event was attended by the city's mayor, Judith Pinedo Flórez.
[13][33][23] The record, produced by Syllart Productions, featured Manu Lima on bass and keyboards, as well as Dally Kimoko and Fofo Le Collegien on lead guitar, with backing vocals provided by Ballou Canta, Denis Tshibayi, Khady Mbaye, Mariam Coulibaly, Nyboma Mwan'dido, Pamela Badiogo, and Serge Mabiala.
[23][13] The album's breakout single "Immigration Fatale" (featuring Nyboma & Sékouba Bambino) garnered significant success due to its message about the plight of African children who risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea in pursuit of a better future in Europe.
[96][97][98] She then went on to perform in Golungo Alto, Cuanza Norte Province of Angola,[99][100] and followed it up with a show at Pullman Kinshasa Grand Hotel to celebrate Tshala Muana's 35-year music career.
[101][102] On 21 September 2014, M'bilia Bel teamed up with Didier Awadi, Hanisha Solomon, Naledi Ya Tshwane, Ray-Son, Simply Chrysolite, and Femi Kuti for a pro bono performance at Warner Theatre in Washington for PAD's Stop Africa Land Grab Concert, aimed at raising awareness about the massive land acquisitions in Africa by foreign investors, which often lead to food shortages and conditions that allow the Ebola virus to thrive.
[108][109][110] The following year, in July, M'bilia Bel performed at a concert by Krist Duford Productions at the La Détente bar in Bacongo to honor mothers.
[116][117] On 16 December, M'bilia Bel and Tshala Muana took the stage as guests for Barbara Kanam's concert at Kinshasa's SHOWBUZZ performing arts center.
[121] She subsequently performed at the second International Rumba Festival at Béatrice Hotel in Kinshasa, which paid tribute to her late husband and mentor, Tabu Ley Rochereau.
[127][128] On 1 December, M'bilia Bel headlined the second day of the 28th edition of the Koroga Festival at the Bomas of Kenya, sharing the stage with her London-based countryman Kanda Bongo Man.
[135] In September 2020, M'bilia Bel, along with her manager, Jules Nsana, made an official visit to the Congolese First Lady, Denise Nyakéru Tshisekedi, where she announced plans to celebrate her 40th anniversary in the music industry with a concert on her birthday.
[140][141][142] In November 2022, M'bilia Bel collaborated with Werrason, Reddy Amisi, Rebo Tchulo, Jeannot Bombenga, Héritier Watanabe, Awilo Longomba, Sista Becky, Poison Mobutu, Mianda Kabamba and Samarino on "Allons Tous Nous Faire Enrôler", a song composed for CENI's campaign to raise awareness among the population about the identification and enrollment operation for the 2023 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election.
[145] These protests, incited by a contentious finance bill, disrupted operations and rendered it infeasible for M'bilia Bel to travel to Cartagena in time for the festival.