Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pascal Kerong’A came to the United States to complete his education in Economics at the University of Texas. His passion for musical performance unfurled one night at a talent show when he performed a song he had written just a week earlier. The performance concluded to uproarious applause and gave way to the unshakeable feeling that he was meant to be onstage, even as he continued to work a day job as a construction laborer. While working a contract at the home of Austin songwriting legend Bill Callahan (fka Smog), they struck up conversation. Pascal’s radiant positivity, powerful presence, and distinctive voice stuck with the icon, who reached out months later to ask if Pascal would open for his upcoming national tour.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of Sting, Ed Sheeran, Fela Kuti, Papa Wemba, Seal, Stevie Wonder, and Tracy Chapman, his compositions blend the rhythmic energy of nineties rock and enchanting harmonies of afropop with the infused emotional resonance of soul & blues. His songs weave profound social commentaries and introspective narratives with poetic lyrics that reflect the complexity of the human experience.