Arts & Culture
Thursday, December 15, 2011Hip-Hop and Africa: Baloji, the Congo, and Conflict Minerals
by Chad Harper, Hip Hop Saves LivesShare this article:
Baloji is a wild cowboy of a MC who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Congo has been the home of the deadliest war since World War II, killing an estimated 5.5 million people since it began in 1998. Baloji, whose name means "the sorcerer" in Swahili, embodies the energy of frustration from this horrific tale. Conflic minerals—metals that power our cell phones, laptops and iPods—led Baloji to perform a re-make of the classic 1960 release, "Independence Cha-Cha," which originally celebrated the Congo's independence.Baloji says he wants to make music that is very African and very modern. He is currently working on a video for his Congolese remake of the Marvin Gaye classic, "I'm Going Home." Baloji's first album release was "Hotel Impala" in 2007. He grew up in Belgium but went back to Kinshasa to record with live musicians.
The album is a response to his biological mother who he spoke to once in 25 years over the phone. She asked him, "What have you been doing with your life?" On the album, Baloji rhymes in Swahili, which was banned under the reign of the notorious ruler, Mobutu.
Baloji's latest effort, entitled "Kinshasa Succursale," released on Crammed Disc, is a collection of sounds from reggae to retro funk. The album features a song called "Kariba ya bintou," a much-loved song that features Baloji's wild style in full effect.
To learn more about the history of the Congolese war and how the war affects our daily lives, watch this video.
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