Damso

Biography

William Kalubi Mwamba, known professionally as Damso, was born on May 10, 1992, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Now a prominent figure in the Belgian and French music scenes, Damso's journey began when his family relocated to Belgium at the age of nine, fleeing the turmoil of armed conflict. They settled in Matonge, a vibrant Congolese neighborhood in Brussels, where his mother, Rose Marthe, nurtured his early interests.

Initially, Damso pursued a degree in marketing and psychology, as encouraged by his parents. However, his passion for music led him to dedicate more time to recording, often resulting in conflict with his family and ultimately leading to his departure from home. Facing financial struggles, he lived in squats and navigated a challenging environment before fully committing to his music career.

Damso launched his rap journey in 2006, forming the collective OPG alongside friends, and released his debut solo project, "Salle d'attente," in 2014. His breakout moment came in 2015 with the track "Poseidon" featured on Booba's mixtape. His association with Booba's 92i collective propelled him to greater heights.

His debut studio album, "Batterie Faible," released on July 8, 2016, quickly achieved platinum status in France. Subsequent albums, including "Ipséité," "Lithopedion," and "QALF," have all been certified diamond, with "Ipséité" selling over 900,000 copies. Damso's artistic contributions have made a lasting impact on the French music landscape, earning him multiple accolades, including best music awards.