Baloji - 'Le Jours D'après (Indépendance Cha-cha)' / 'Karibu Ya Bintou feat Konono N°1'

World Music Corner

Baloji - 'Karibu Ya Bintou feat Konono N°1'

This is a great track, it's rap with a difference, I just love the rawness of it as a result of the fabulous traditional backing by Congolese band Konono No 1.

I've been listening to this album, Kinshasa Succursale, quite a bit lately and it's everything I love about African music, exciting, full of energy, soul and amazing rhythms, especially with Baloji's take on it. The super cool and slick suited Congo-Belgian rapper brings an eclectic mix of African styles, Reggae, Soul, Funk and Jazz and his experience in the rap game, brings a real twist to genre incorporating the old with the new.

Baloji...sharp!

He certainly has had an 'interesting' life, Baloji means 'super sorcerer' and was named in honour of a witch doctor that saved his father's life. I was just named Brian after my dad and according to a coffee mug I have, my name means brave and strong, ever so slightly far fetched.

When he was younger his parents sent him from war torn Congo to grow up with relatives in Belgium. Over the years he fell into bad crowds but discovered Hip Hop as a way out and eventually formed one of the top crews in Belgium, Starflam but due to immigration issues it all fell through and he quit the music industry. It was quite a shock to him then, when his mother finally got in contact with him after 20 odd years to ask 'what up?', which prompted him to record this album as dedication to her and a chance to get back to his roots.

But forget all that, what you really need to know is that his brothers were backing dancers for Belgian Eurodance behemoths, Technotronic!!! Pumping indeed

Baloji - 'Le Jours D'après / Siku Ya Baadaye (Indépendance Cha-cha)'

Here's another groove which shows off his real mélange of styles, blending Hip Hop with traditional Congolese Soukouss. Infectious! Looks like a great club, I'd love to shuffle my stuff there.

Check out Baloji's official website.....here

More World Music Corner

Baloji - 'Le Jours D'après (Indépendance Cha-cha)' / 'Karibu Ya Bintou feat Konono N°1'

4/ 5

Oleh flycasual

2 Comments