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Nourished by the soundscapes of Kinshasa, the group Kin’Gongolo Kiniata translates the frenetic life of these streets into their music. The band name means: “The sound that crushes”, and that’s a fitting name.
These master upcyclers from Kinshasa produce their own experimental electro-Congolese punkrock, laying down energetic and funky grooves, playing an impressive arsenal of self-made percussion and stringed instruments ingeniously assembled from discarded plastic bottles, metal objects and household items.
The name is derived from the sound heard when itinerant oil sellers walk the streets during power cuts, carrying the clanging metal containers which provide an alternative source of light. Their lyrics, sung in Lingala, and their unstoppable compositions advocate hope and perseverance: they pay tribute to itinerant workers, rebel against the war in Congo, and encourage the young people of Kinshasa.
Since their European debut at Trans Musicales 2022, the members of Kin’Gongolo Kiniata set off on the roads of Europe in June and July 2023. They played Clandestino Festival, Couleur Café, Paradiso, Fusion Festival and Womex, just to name a few, plus more than fifteen cities In France.
Their first EP Moto was released digitally on 13 November, a full album will be released in April/May 2024.
