Zap Mama sings polyphonic and afro-pop music, a harmonic music with a mixture of infused African vocal techniques, urban, hip hop with emphasis on voice. The worldwide success of Zap Mama, and an ensemble of female polyphonic singers, inspired influences in American hip hop, nu-soul, jazz and elements of pop. The evolving musical compositions created a diverse band of singers and musicians for Zap Mama. 

 

Marie Daulne, the daughter of a Belgian father and a Congolese mother, and was born in the East Zaire City of Isiro. Marie had only been born a few days when her father was killed by the Simba Rebels, during the Congo crisis. The Crisis resulted in the deaths of some 100,000 people. It led to the assassination of Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, as well as a traumatic setback to the United Nations, following the death of UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld in a plane crash as he sought to mediate. Marie's mother, with brother and sisters had to survive hiding in the forest. Several months later, they were airlifted out to Isiro in an emergency evacuation by Belgian paratroopers. Marie and her family were flown to Belgium, because her father was a Belgian citizen.