Singles

Published on March 31st, 2019 | by Guest Contributor

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KOKOKO! Share New Single ‘Malembe’ After Major SXSW Run

Congolese electronic band KOKOKO! are excited to release ‘Malembe’ via Ici Records. The song – which follows their critically acclaimed debut EP Liboso – finds the group at their most electrifying, combining forward thinking and heavy grooves with a refreshing and raw, electronic feel, held together by Makara Bianco’s energetic, idiosyncratic vocal.

Discussing ‘Malembe,’ KOKOKO! offered the following:
“Malembe means slowly, and Makara sings ‘slowly, hit/beat me up slowly’ then answers the backing vocals ‘you will kill me’ before singing ‘make sure you’re heard and understood.’”

KOKOKO! just wrapped up their debut US tour, including a stellar run through SXSW. The 5 piece band captured audiences across Austin with their bright yellow jumpsuits, intricate instruments, and unrelenting energy and spirit. KOKOKO! saw support from NPR’s All Songs ConsideredAustin ChronicleAustin Monthly, and more at SXSW and were thrilled to share their ethos with American audiences. Elsewhere they hit New YorkLos Angeles, and San Francisco.

KOKOKO! Is a DIY collective pioneering an inspiring alternative music scene from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The band was born in Kinshasa when Makara BianoDébruit, and a group of musicians from the Ngwaka neighborhood met. They channel a source of limitless creativity by hand-crafting string instruments and percussive inventions from recycled scrap material found in Kinshasa. It’s this innovative instrumentation that gives KOKOKO! their psychedelic, never-heard-before sound – and caught the attention of PitchforkTIMEResident Advisori-D, and AFROPUNK.

Since forming, the band have released a string of singles and their debut Liboso EP and embarked on their first sold-out European tour in 2018. 2018 also saw them performing across European festivals, like RoskildeSonarDourWe Love GreenLente KabinetDown The Rabbit Hole, and many more. Watch a recap of their explosive show in Brussels for a better understanding of the energy, adventure and expressionism KOKOKO! bring to their live performances.

‘Malembe’ is available now on all platforms via Ici Records.



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