Lino is a French rapper who goes by the stage name Galino M’Bani. He was a member of the French rap group rsenik, together with his brother Calboni M’Bani, also known as Calbo. He also has a solo output that is separate from rsenik. Lino’s ancestors are from Congo.
Lino and his brother Calbo collaborated with a group of rappers who were also second-generation Africans on a joint project called Bisso Na Bisso, which means “simply between ourselves” in Lingala, the most generally spoken language in the Congo region, in the late 1990s. Ben-J (from Les Neg’Marrons), Passi (from Ministère A.M.E.R. ), twin brothers Doc and G Kill (from 2Bal), and Mystik and his female cousin M’Passi were all members of this group. The band embarked on a collective return to their African roots, with music that featured an unusual synthesis of styles that blended modern hip-hop and zouk sounds with traditional Congolese rumba.
In 2004, Lino collaborated on a music project founded by Kery James in the track “Relève la tête” ascribed to “Kery James presents Lino, AP, Diam’s, Passi, Matt & Kool Shen”. In 2007, he also contributed three tracks to rapper Stomy Bugsy’s album Rimes Passionnelles, and in 2009, he took part in Bisso Na Bisso’s Africa project.
Lino has recorded two solo albums, the first of which was Paradis assassiné, which was the title of a solo song on the group’s second album. Lino’s Radio Bitume was also launched in May 2012. Both have achieved success in France.
He signed with AZ, which is now part of Universal Music, in 2012.
