After retiring from politics in February 1979[2] to coincide with the rise to power of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Jean-Pierre Ngombé, a politician and cultural figure who studied alongside prominent musical acts such as Pamelo Mounk'a (Bantous de la Capitale),[3][4][5] established a book publishing house under the name Éditions Surya ("sun" in sanskrit) in 1984.

[1] The label's first release was the compilation album Tamaris Multi-Stars (1990), featuring artists like Pépé Kallé, M'Bilia Bel, Abby Surya, and Pompon Kuleta.

[8] The label's catalog expanded to include subsequent releases from some of the era's most iconic acts, such as Jamais sans nous (1991) by Zaïko Langa Langa, The Flying Stars (1991) by Tshala Muana, Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche (1992) by Koffi Olomide,[9] L’amour au kilo (1992) by Mayaula Mayoni,[10][1] and Exil Ley (1993) by Tabu Ley Rochereau.

[12] Pembey Sheiro released Explosion (1993), while Gatho Beevans, a young pop star from Zaire, debuted with a self-titled album in 1992, commonly referred to as Azalaki Awa.

[13][8] The label also signed other notable acts, including Choc Stars, Aicha Koné, Kim Douley, Mamie Claudia, and Elangui Aimé.