Kin’Gongolo Kiniata belongs to a new wave of artists from Kinshasa who are redefining the contemporary Congolese scene. Their music stems from the everyday reality of the chaotic city – the noise of the streets, improvisation, rhythm, and constant movement. The musicians build their own instruments from recycled materials: metal cans, plastic bottles, cables, and parts of old appliances. This is not only the band’s distinctive aesthetic, but also a way of thinking about music and reality. The artists emphasize that through their work they aim to promote creativity, independence, and an ecological approach in a city struggling with pollution and poverty.
These hand-built instruments have become the group’s trademark. Kin’Gongolo Kiniata’s sound is difficult to categorize – the musicians fuse Congolese rumba with Afropunk, electronica, and the raw energy of street music. In lyrics sung primarily in Lingala, they speak of the realities of life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: war, social inequality, and daily hardships, but also of the solidarity, hope, and determination of the people of Kinshasa.
For years, they operated primarily locally, connected to the city’s alternative scene and street culture. Their international acclaim came after performances at the Trans Musicales and Africolor festivals in France, after which they began regular tours across Europe and North America. Today, they are recognized as one of the most distinctive and original voices in the new African scene.
Musicians:
Antonis Antoniou – electric tzouras / vocals / electronics
Manos Stratis – bass synth / organ
Will Scott – bass clarinet
Ulaş Öğüç – drums / triggers
