Christelle Dionge, known professionally as Kristy Diamond, is a Congolese singer, songwriter, and producer.[1][2][3] Born and raised in Kinshasa, Dionge began her music career in a local church choir, eventually leading her to join the acclaimed Gospel Paradis Music group.[2] After moving to France and taking a hiatus to focus on family life, she returned to the music scene with her 2018 debut studio album Tshueke Tshueke.[2]
Christelle Dionge was born in Kinshasa, in what was formerly Zaire and is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kristy developed an interest in music from an early age.[4] Hailing from a Christian family, she was introduced to music through frequent church visits and singing in a choir.[4] At the age of 11, Kristy transitioned to gospel music and joined the acclaimed Kinshasa-based group Gospel Paradis Music.[4] Her ability soon became evident, and she quickly seized the attention of fellow Congolese gospel singer and evangelical pastor Kool Matopé, who invited her to become part of his musical group.[4] During Lokua Kanza's visit to their rehearsal session in the early 2000s, Kristy's vocal abilities impressed Lokua, who "encouraged her to develop her talent".[4]
2006–present: Standalone releases and Tshueke Tshueke
In 2006, Kristy moved to Nice, France, with her husband, where she decided to take a break from music to focus on her personal life and family, eventually becoming a mother of three.[2][4] After stepping away from music, she participated in a 2010 Kool Matopé concert in Brussels on "the fight against violence against women in the DRC".[4] In 2016, she was invited by Bozi Boziana to work on his upcoming album at Studio Haxo in Paris.[4]
Kristy commenced work on her debut studio album, Tshueke Tshueke, in early 2018. The album's first single, "Pona Congo," released in March 2018, was dedicated to supporting victims of the ongoing Kivu conflict in eastern DRC.[4] It was recorded at Studio Haxo and was both composed and produced by Kristy in collaboration with guitarist Olivier Tshimanga, Congolese singer Dicarson One, and Abona.[4] The next month, she contributed two tracks, "Cocorico" and "iConoclaste", for the album Un Homme Averti, composed by Willy Weston Ndangi in tribute to the late Papa Wemba.[4] These releases gained notable success throughout Africa and among the African diaspora in France and Belgium, buoyed by promotion from the pan-African radio channel, Africa Radio.[4] That year, the album came out, containing seven tracks that fused Congolese rumba, reggaeton, zumba, and Afrobeats.[4] The mixing, mastering, and production were handled by Vincent Zorgue at Studio Haxo, with arrangements by Vincent Zorgue and Deo Synthé.[4] During this period, Kristy joined the Association Congo Sebene (ACS) and worked with ACS's Secretary General José Kapesa.[4]
After spending over a decade in France, Kristy returned to Kinshasa to perform a live concert in front of a professional audience, which included many Congolese political figures.[4] On 1 April 2020, she released the single "Corona Ezo Boma", which aimed to raise awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of following health guidelines.[4] "Corona Ezo Boma" was again produced by Vincent Zorgue at Studio Haxo, with arrangements by Vincent Zorgue and Deo Synthé, and the music video produced by Hilton Aya.[4] On 20 October of the year, Kristy premiered another single, "Sanduku", produced by Vincent Forgue and Roger Matondo.[5] The song narrates the story of a couple overcoming obstacles to ultimately reunite and stay together.[5]
On 11 June 2021, she made a guest appearance on Blaise Bula's Congolese rumba-infused single "Shadie".[6] On 17 March of the following year, Kristy featured on the single "Leopards Fimbu International" in support of Les Léopards during the playoff phase for the 2022 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers. The song included guest features from Félix Wazekwa, Flaety W. Manuke, Lokua Kanza, Kadiyoyo, JB Mpiana, Barbara Kanam, Koffi Olomide, Cindy Le Cœur, Héritier Watanabe, Laetitia Lokua, Adolphe Dominguez, Werrason, Lemiran LEM, Ferré Gola, and Innoss'B.[7][8] On 29 March 2024, she released the audio lyric video for her Congolese rumba- and trap-influenced single "Pays des merveilles", which included a guest appearance by Ferré Gola.[9] Produced and mixed by Ingénieur Zorg at Studio Haxo, the song included guitar arrangements by Mbetenge Domingo and audio lyrics written by Hilton Aya.[9]
^ abcd"Tout savoir sur la chanteuse congolaise Kristy Diamond" [Everything you need to know about Congolese singer Kristy Diamond]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
^ abMpiutu, Miguel Jegou (20 October 2020). "Découvrez le clip "Sanduku" de Kristy Diamond" [Discover Kristy Diamond's "Sanduku" music video]. Mbote.cd (in French). Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
