Balojiis a leading force in his space.
For years, the Congolese-Belgian artist has paired his unique blend of soukous, hip-hop and pop elements with sharp critiques about the power that governments, industries and technology have over societies—particularly across Africa.
Recently, Baloji release his latest album, 137 Kaniama, a 12-song record which offered potent commentary on, among other issues, how today's cellphone culture is making all of us zombies. That album is going to be re-released its originally-intended form of a one-track single as Kaniama: The Yellow Version tomorrow.
The new release is paired with a 22-minute short film that takes a satirical look at the shady ties between state and media with the backdrop of a '70s Soul Train-esque TV show.
"My first short film, Kaniama Show, [is] a fictional satire about the collusion of State and media powers in an unidentified African country," Baloji tells OkayAfrica. "The film is built as a Sunday afternoon variety show, with a set stuck in the 70s that underscores an unwillingness to change. The cast includes Eriq Ebouaney (Raoul Peck's Lumumba), Bwanga Pilipili, Martha Daro Canga, and Eric Kabongo."
"Kaniama Show received numerous awards at festivals despite its unusual and disconcerting form. It is a great pleasure to finally bring this film to a wider audience," he continues. "On May 3 the album Kaniama: The Yellow Version comes out on Bella Union, released in its original concept form as a long-play single track. It is an album that unfolds throughout 72 minutes, with two unreleased bonus remixes (feat. Poison Mobutu, Gael Faye)."
Watch our premiere of Baloji's Kaniama Show short film below and check out some film stills underneath.
'Kaniama: The Yellow Version' is out tomorrow, May 3, on Bella Union.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.
Film stills. Photo: Yaqine Hamzaoui.