Vicky Down, born Victor Cornelis in 1926 in Mankeli, Belgian Congo, was a pioneering Congolese-Belgian jazz musician and singer, celebrated for his warm and distinctive voice. He gained international fame in 1952 with his hit song "Les Anges Noires," the French version of a poem in Spanish by the white Venezuelan poet Andrés Eloy Blanc "Angelitos Negros." The song, with its powerful anti-racist message questioning why only white angels were depicted in churches, became an anthem against racial injustice, resonating deeply in both Latin America and Belgium.

Down began his musical journey in 1943, forming his first jazz quartet in Belgium. He quickly became a prominent figure in the Belgian jazz scene, collaborating with legendary musicians like Bobby Jaspar, René Thomas, and Dizzy Gillespie. Known for his versatility, he performed in various venues, including the prestigious Casino Knokke, where he shared the stage with Ella Fitzgerald.

Despite his success, including multiple awards for "Best Belgian Male Jazz Singer," Vicky Down remains an unsung hero of Belgian jazz. His career, marked by a deep connection to both his Congolese roots and Belgian culture, saw him return to Africa in the 1960s, where he continued to perform and influence the music scene. Down passed away on November 13, 2020, in Brussels, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer who brought the soulful rhythms to the heart of European jazz.