Passi Jo was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) and is a direct descendent of the Balari Troubadours who travelled from village to village singing about love, hate, death, friendship and all aspects of everyday life in Africa. Passi Jo has continued to embrace this musical legacy in his own independent musical career in Africa, Europe and now in Australia.

In 1982 he moved to Paris. In 1985 he formed Kass Kass and began a chain of successful international tours that introduced and endeared him to fans throughout Europe, North and South America, and Oceania, as well as continuing his popularity in his African homeland. In 1990, Kass Kass had a number 1 hit in Europe with Passi Jo’s original composition Kass Kass (Mama Helena).

Passi Jo has performed with some of the world’s best and most renowned musicians, including Super Boboto SBB, Veve, OK Band, Singa Muambe, Panafrican, Trio Madjesi, Kass Kass, Abeti Masekini, Sam Mangwana, Essous Jean Serges, Teo Blaise, The Four Stars (Les Quatre Etoiles), Tabu Ley Rochereau & Afrisa International Orchestra, Moses Fan Fan; and on the same billing with Manu Dibango, Ray Barretto, Jose Feliciano, Barry White, James Brown, and the original Fania Allstars with Johnny Pacheco in the music festival leading up to the big fight between Ali & Foreman; Coupe Cloue from Haiti... and many more.

In 1990 he toured Australia with Tchico Tchicaya, and relocated permanently to Australia in 1993. His musical career has spanned three decades and he has released more than 15 albums during this time. With Tchico Tchicaya, he formed Warako Musica in 1998.