KOKOKO! is a band from the Democratic Republic of Congo whose eclectic sound reflects the diverse and dynamic city of Kinshasa. The DIY collective is led by French artist Xavier Thomas, also known as Débruit, who met the other members of the group at a party in Ngwaka. KOKOKO! includes various musicians, instrument makers, and performance artists from DRC, such as vocalist Boms Bomolo, guitarist Dido Oweke, and singer and dance-troupe leader Makara Bianko. The group primarily uses Lingala, a language spoken in Kinshasa, with bits of French, Swahili, and Kikongo.
The band’s second full-length album, BUTU, was released in July of this year, five years after their debut album Fongola. The album specifically explores the energy of night time in Kinshasa, a city of 17 million people, where sounds from street vendors, generators, clubs, and more blend together to create a chaotic yet electric atmosphere. BUTU is a soundtrack that illustrates all these sensations and stimulations, dynamic, raw, and dancey, sometimes loopy and narrative. It reveals stories of Kinshasa at night time, inviting the listener to experience the city’s after-dark buzz.
Despite the tense political backdrop of the band’s homeland, which experiences serious human rights violations and exploitation of its natural resources, the music also celebrates the beauty and creativity found in Kinshasa’s night. KOKOKO! is set to make Rough Trade history as the first group/musical artist to play all of Rough Trade’s performance spaces in the UK. The band’s unique sound, characterized by a blend of traditional and modern instruments, improvisation, and collective energy, has universal appeal. As Xavier Thomas himself says, “Most listeners don’t know the language, but the energy and musicality translates”.
Finally, BUTU album storytelling is heavily influenced by personal experiences, dreams, wishes, and a huge need to escape, both physically and through the mind. There are mystical themes, deeper and political messages, and crucial statements like “my country doesn’t like me” by Makara Bianko. The hard realities of the streets of Kinshasa and the country’s situation make it hard for people, but the band’s music brings hope and energy charging people with their creative and innovative ideas. As they say, their live shows are a “real sincere energy without brakes,” which is why the band’s music and experiences are so captivating to listeners worldwide
Read the full article on Rough Trade here: Read More