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KOKOKO! ZALA MAYELE

Kinshasha collective KOKOKO! spent most of 2019 winning over audiences across the globe with their infectious live performances. (See our End of the Road 2019 Festival Finds Feature here)  Breathing new life into their Trangressive-released 2019 debut album Fongola, the quintet have shared a vibrant new video for album highlight 'Zala Mayele' alongside a string of European tour dates. Written and directed by débruit, the video for 'Zala Mayele' gives a glimpse into life on the streets of their home town. The band explain: "Zala Mayele’s lyrics are about the dangers in Kinshasa’s street (thieves, sorcerers, gangs and more) and the importance of distinguishing what is what, what is hidden under what shape, in disguise around the corner, in the shadow. We follow Issa, as he wanders the streets on his own, threatened by the possible dangers blinding him, dangers that, little by little, he will be able to notice and take control of with a trip on the other side of the mirrors." Catch KOKOKO! live at London's EartH on the 16th of May (full tour dates available here). -Holly Mullineaux 

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