Kin’Gongolo Kiniata translates the sounds of Kinshasa’s hectic urban street life into funky Afro-pop, groovy Congolese rumba, and indomitable punk energy, played on an arsenal of homemade instruments crafted from trash! Since their European debut at Trans Musicales in 2022, the Congolese quintet has been unstoppable, and we are excited for them to light up the stage at ALICE this fall.

The Congolese trash collective Kin’Gongolo Kiniata draws on the frenetic energy of Kinshasa’s bustling urban streets in their captivating Afro-pop. With punk energy that spans between electro and Congolese rumba, the group delivers seriously funky grooves with an impressive arsenal of percussion and string instruments ingeniously handcrafted from discarded plastic bottles, metal objects, and household items. Referencing a time when Congo experienced extensive power outages, the name Kin’Gongolo Kiniata comes from the sound heard when oil sellers walk the streets during blackouts, carrying clanging metal containers that provide an alternative light source. Kin’Gongolo Kiniata’s lyrics, sung in Lingala, Congo’s most widely spoken language, spread themes of hope and perseverance, offering positive encouragement to Kinshasa’s younger generation.

Since their European debut at Trans Musicales in 2022, the Kinshasa-based quintet has been on a rapid rise. They have ignited stages in France, Brussels, Switzerland, and Portugal, and released their debut EP “Moto” last year. Finally, they are set to make their way to ALICE, and we can guarantee it will be a celebration.