KIN'GONGOLO KINIATA

Afropop Electrofunk

Formed in the vibrant streets of Kinshasa, Kin'Gongolo Kiniata is redefining Congolese music while honoring its deep cultural roots. Through their debut album, Kin'Gongolo Kiniata delivers a vibrant sound where urban rhythms blend with electronic sounds and handcrafted percussion, creating an explosive fusion of past, present, and future. Before conquering international festival stages in Europe and America, the group honed their craft on the streets of Kinshasa, where every sound, every beat, evokes the realities of daily life. The name "Kin'Gongolo Kiniata," meaning "the crushing sound," is a perfect metaphor for the group's sonic power. Their music is crafted from handmade instruments, using recycled materials such as plastic bottles and metal. This art of improvisation reflects their ability to transform urban chaos into a unique symphony, an explosive mix of Afropop, Congolese punk, and experimental electronica.

The album Kiniata is a celebration of this raw energy, a tribute to urban life and Congolese traditions, marked by the use of Lingala in lyrics that recount the struggles, hopes, and triumphs of daily life. Kiniata is rooted in a strong heritage while modernizing it, drawing inspiration from traditional sounds to create something entirely new. Their frenetic rhythms and captivating melodies recall the spirit of Article 15 (“Débrouillez-vous”) in its transformative and rebellious essence. But here, it is the soul of Kinshasa that resonates through every note, every recycled percussion, every electric riff.