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Before Rebecca m'Boungou was conceived, in the 1980's, her French mother became entranced by Congolese music, and followed that fascination to the country where she became the first white woman to dance with the National Ballet. And that's where she also met the man she would marry and have a child with. Rebecca was born and raised in the Basque Country and felt accepted as just another French girl, while at the same time understood she was different. And while her parents' marriage didn't last, it was her mother's love and respect for Congolese culture that she then gifted to her daughter. But yet, being “a half-white, French girl,” has led to identity conflicts. She understands these conflicts may just be in her head, such as is she legitimate to talk about Congo, or is she taking space away from someone who is from Brazzaville? But what she does understand is that her music allows her to celebrate her other culture, and helps her feel she is not just “another pessimistic human in this world.”

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