Soukous & Politics: Baloji's Beautiful Kinshasa Dance Video
Baloji criticizes the power that cellphone companies & alcohol industries have on Congolese society through dance in "Unité & Litre"
<p>Congolese-born, Belgium-based rapper & producer <a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/tag/baloji/" target="_blank"><strong>Baloji</strong></a> unveils a beautiful and political Kinshasa dance in his latest visuals for "Unité & Litre." Directed by Baloji himself, the music video follows dancer & choreographer <strong>Jolie Ngemi </strong>as she weaves her way to a brewery in a sharp critique of the power and influence that cellphone companies (Unit = a mobile top-up) and alcohol industries (Litres) have on Congolese society.</p><p>That political theme runs through Baloji's upcoming <em>64 Bits & Malachite </em>EP (due October 30 via Universal France), a reference to computer processors (64 bits) and one of the few minerals found in Katanga, DRC that isn't mined for use in operating systems across the globe (Malachite). “Everything I do in music is computer-based – and 40% of my computer and my phone came from Congolese soil,” explains Baloji.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><p>The song "Unité & Litre," which features MC <strong>Mipipo </strong>and was co-produced by Baloji & <strong><a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/tag/moroka/" target="_blank">Moroka</a></strong>, repurposes Congolese dancing chants and features guitar lines inspired by 1970s soukous group <strong>Zaiko Langa Langa</strong>. Watch the "Unité & Litre" music video, which follows Baloji's <a href="http://www.okayafrica.com/news/baloji-capture-64-bits-and-malachite-music-video/" target="_blank">stunning love letter to the Congo</a>, below.</p><p><span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1341b72b258c5ebb3c41860563a61698"><iframe type="lazy-iframe" data-runner-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ywxYnaFriqc?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span></p>
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