Déborah Lukalu is a Congolese gospel singer born in Lubumbashi, DR Congo, who moved to South Africa at the age of nine. She became known with “We Testify” in 2017, then with “Pamoja” and “Je sais” in 2021, before releasing a live recording from the Zénith de Paris in 2024. Her songs move between French, English and Swahili.
Déborah Lukalu was born in Lubumbashi, in Haut-Katanga (DR Congo), and moved with her family to South Africa at nine, where she began singing gospel around the age of fourteen. She released the EP “Law Breaker” in 2015, then “Overflow” in 2016, presented as her first studio album. In 2017, “We Testify” made her known far beyond Johannesburg: the video passed six million views on YouTube by 2019, according to Music in Africa.
Her live album “Call Me Favour” came out in 2018. In 2021 she released “Pamoja” with the artists of Maajabu Gospel, for which she became an ambassador and a Maajabu Talent jury member, then “Je sais,” whose official video was published by the same company. “Trust in the Storm” followed in 2023, and her concert at the Zénith de Paris La Villette became a live album in May 2024. Since then she has kept releasing singles, including “Consolé,” “Jamais” and “Neema.” She also performed at the AB in Brussels in October 2023.
- Origin
- Lubumbashi (Haut-Katanga, DR Congo), moved to South Africa at nine
- Style
- Gospel and worship, in French, English and Swahili
- Active since
- 2015, with the EP “Law Breaker”
- Good to know
- “We Testify” passed six million YouTube views in 2019, live album recorded at the Zénith de Paris La Villette in 2024
How did Déborah Lukalu get started?
Born in Lubumbashi, Déborah Lukalu left the DR Congo for South Africa with her family at the age of nine. She grew up listening to gospel and started singing at fourteen. Johannesburg became the base for her first recordings, released from 2015 onward.
The EP “Law Breaker” opened the way in 2015, followed by “Overflow” in 2016. The next year, “We Testify” widened her audience across the continent. In November 2018 she released “Call Me Favour,” an album recorded in front of an audience.
What makes Déborah Lukalu distinctive?
Her songs move from one language to another: “We Testify” in English, “Je sais” in French, “Pamoja” and “Neema” in Swahili. She also alternates between studio and stage, with live recordings in Kinshasa in 2021, London in 2023, Belgium in 2024 and the Zénith de Paris the same year, which gives her an audience in English-speaking Africa as well as the French-speaking world.
Where should you start with Déborah Lukalu?
Start with “We Testify,” her best-known song, then listen to “Je sais,” in French. For a recent track, try “Neema,” released in 2026. If you prefer recordings in front of an audience, “Call Me Favour” (2018) and the live album from the Zénith de Paris La Villette (2024) give a good idea of her concerts.
songs
We Testify
Her best-known song, released in 2017: the official video passed six million views in 2019.
Je sais
Official video published by Maajabu Gospel in 2021: a song in French that became one of her most-streamed tracks.
Pamoja
A song in Swahili recorded in 2021 with the artists of Maajabu Gospel.
Neema
A single released in 2026, with an official video on her YouTube channel.
Discography
- 2026Neema· Single
- 2025Jamais· Single
- 2024Live au Zénith de Paris La Villette· Live
- 2023Trust in the Storm
- 2021Live in Kinshasa· Live
- 2018Call Me Favour· Live
- 2016Overflow
- 2015Law Breaker· EP
Read also
Frequently asked questions
Who is Déborah Lukalu?
Déborah Lukalu is a Congolese gospel singer, born in Lubumbashi (DR Congo), who moved to South Africa at nine. She sings in French, English and Swahili, and is known for “We Testify” (2017), “Pamoja” and “Je sais” (2021).
What is Déborah Lukalu's best-known song?
“We Testify,” released in 2017, is still her best-known song: its video had passed six million views on YouTube by 2019. In French, “Je sais” is one of her most-streamed tracks.
Is Déborah Lukalu a Christian?
Yes. Described as a Christian singer of Congolese origin, she sings worship and praise songs and has performed gospel concerts in Africa, Europe and at the Zénith de Paris.
What is Déborah Lukalu's latest project?
Her latest studio album is “Trust in the Storm” (2023), followed by the live album from the Zénith de Paris La Villette in 2024. Since then she has released singles, including “Consolé” (2025) and “Neema” (2026).
Where is Déborah Lukalu from?
She was born in Lubumbashi, in the Haut-Katanga province of the DR Congo. She left the country at nine for South Africa, where she began her gospel career.
Where can you listen to Déborah Lukalu?
Her videos and live recordings are on her official YouTube channel. Her albums and singles are also available on streaming platforms, including Apple Music.