KOKOKO!

KOKOKO! is an experimental electronic music collective based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their sound is created through homemade, unconventional instruments made from scrap, and their lyrics focus on political problems within the country. The group performs in a variety of different languages, including Kikongo, French, Lingala, and Swahili.[2]

KOKOKO!
OriginKinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Genres
Years active2016-present
LabelsTransgressive, ICI
MembersDébruit (production, synthesizer, vocals)[1]
Dido Oweke (guitar)[1]
Boms Bomolo (bass, vocals)[1]
Love Lokombe (percussion, vocals)[1]
Makara Bianko (percussion, vocals)[2]
Websitehttps://www.kokokomusic.com/

History

The group started in 2016, choosing the name KOKOKO as it is an onomatopoeia in the Lingala language to signify knocking on doors. The group was brought together by Débruit (Xavier Thomas), their producer, who met the other members of the group at a party in Ngwaka, Kinshasa.[3] The group chose to use experimental, homemade instruments due to the high price of traditional instruments in Kinshasa[2] and the lack of ways to create electronic music.[4] KOKOKO! chooses to use instruments made out of unconventional junk and scrap.[1] The lyrics of their music are allegorical, with references to the political situation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[5] KOKOKO!'s sound has been compared to Grace Jones, Talking Heads,[6] and the Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste.[3] Member Makara Bianko describes the music using the phrase tekno kintueni.[7]

In 2017, the group released their first single, Tokoliana.[4] In late 2017, the group released Tongo'sa / Likolo.[6] In 2019, they released the single Azo Toke in the run-up to the release of their debut studio album, Fongola.[8] They released Fongola on 5 July 2019 with Transgressive Records,[9] which received rave reviews.[2]

Discography

Albums

Singles/EPs
  • Tongos'a / Likolo (2017, ICI)[10]
  • Tokoliana / L.O.V.E. (2017, ICI)[10]
  • Liboso (2018, Transgressive)[10]
  • Remixes (2018, ICI)[10]
  • Malembe (2019, Transgressive)[10]
  • Kitoko (2019, Transgressive)[10]
  • Buka Dansa (2019, Transgressive)[10]

References
  1. Boilen, Bob (15 November 2019). "KOKOKO!: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  2. Sarmiento, Isabella Gomez (19 October 2019). "Congo's KOKOKO! Makes Joyful Dance Music From Instruments Made Of Junk". NPR. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  3. Kalia, Ammar (11 July 2019). "Kokoko!: Fongola review – commanding percussive DIY from DRC innovators". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  4. Solomon, Feliz (4 May 2017). "KOKOKO! Are a Congolese Band That Make Music From Electronic Junk. You Have to See Their Incredible Video". Time. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  5. Domanick, Andrea (10 October 2019). "Can Electronic Music Be Made With Metal Cans and Car Parts? Kokoko! Says Yes: Interview". Billboard. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  6. Fraden, Angel E. (15 January 2018). "KOKOKO! Is the Raw, Alternative Sound of Kinshasa". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  7. Hird, Alison (18 January 2018). "Kokoko! alternative dance music crafted in Kinshasa". RFI. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  8. Domanick, Andrea (21 August 2019). "Kokoko!'s 'Buka Dansa' Is an Analog Electronic Jam Fresh From the Congo: Exclusive". Billboard. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  9. Taylor, Chris. "KOKOKO! - Fongola". DIY. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  10. "KOKOKO!". Discogs. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
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