Born in the Republic of Congo but raised in Belgium, Baloji mixes and matches a variety of musical genres from both countries to create a collision of sound that is truly unique. Rapper, singer, and music weaver, it is fitting that Baloji’s name means sorcerer in Swahili as such arcane practices are doubtless crucial to the construction of his remarkably multi-layered music.
In his latest EP, 64 Bits & Malachite, Baloji’s music stands at the crossroads of African music, rap, the French singer-songwriter tradition, afro-american music (soul, funk, jazz), and electronic music (trance, deep house). This collection of genres, when put together, results in a feel good EP with rhythms that urge you up on your feet and rap verses that feel razor sharp.
At Islington Assembly Hall, Baloji will bring a limitless amount of energy, a stunning band made up of brilliant Congolese musicians, and roster of songs that will get the whole venue up and moving.
Débruit, beat maker and music matcher who combines the funky rhythms and melodies of world music with the modern edge of electronica, will be joining Baloji on the Islington Assembly Hall stage. Family Atlantica, a band that stitches together Cuban rumba, Venezuelan tambor and tonada, Ghanaian highlife, Ethiopian blues, and psychedelic jazz, complete this wonderfully chaotic line up of world and electronic music.
“A beautifully nuanced collage of soulfully rocking flavours”
- The Telegraph
