Biography
Daniel Mparanyi (Masasi Mparanyi Daniel) is a gospel musician, multidisciplinary artist, and peace activist from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. His work combines music, spoken word, and visual storytelling to address themes of war, displacement, faith, and human dignity in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
Through socially engaged artistic practice, Mparanyi uses his voice to advocate for peace, youth empowerment, and community resilience in regions affected by prolonged conflict. His performances and recordings often serve as platforms for dialogue, encouraging young people to reject violence and work toward unity and justice.
In recent years, his practice has expanded into multidisciplinary performance and collaborative artistic projects across music, poetry, and visual art. During his AR-Residency at PEN Zambia, he developed the stage project NUMERO’R, participated in a collaborative African exhibition in Lusaka, and initiated a music-based health awareness project promoting diabetes prevention. His ongoing musical project Imani Rebuild focuses on restoring hope and collective faith in communities affected by war and instability.
Due to his artistic activism and public advocacy for peace in eastern Congo, Mparanyi has faced direct threats from armed groups. As a result, he continues his work while navigating displacement, using art as a tool for resilience, spiritual reflection, and social transformation.
Imani Rebuild Live concert: https://youtu.be/uouO9TP3fxM?si=C92pVkY594Eh-MdZ
Residency History
AR-Resident at PEN Zambia (2025)
