The Congotronics series is devoted to the strange and spectacular electro-traditional mixtures which are being concocted in the suburbs of Kinshasa, Congo.
Konono N°1, Kasaï Allstars, Ndara, Sobanza Mimanisa and Kisanzi Congo are what they call in the Congo "tradi-moderne" bands. Most of these musicians left the bush to settle in the capital. In order to continue to fulfill their social role and make themselves heard by the ancestors (and, more concretely, by their fellow citizens) despite the high level of urban ...
Konono No.1 win Grammy, tour Europe
The award for "Best Pop Collaboration" went to 'Imagine' by Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Konono No.1, Seal, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
After being nominated for a Grammy with the "Live at Couleur Café" album (2007), Konono No.1 have just won an award with this track excerpted from Herbie Hancock's latest album, "The Imagine Project", on which the jazz luminary invited artists from various parts of the world to collaborate. See the video here.
The other contenders in the "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" (category 8) included tracks featuring Eminem, Elton John & Leon Russel, Lady Gaga & Beyoncé, Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg.
Totally surreal, isn't it ?....
Konono No.1 are now embarking upon a European tour which starts on Feb.23 in Prague and ends on March 25 in Bergen (NO), after visiting Germany, France, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands. See the dates here.
Konono will then be working on the "Congotronics vs Rockers" live project, the superband also featuring Deerhoof, Kasai Allstars, Juana Molina, Wildbirds & Peacedrums and Skeletons, which will perform at major festivals and venues around Europe and Japan in May, June & July 2011.
