“By now, we all should know, being African doesn’t explain who you are, what you have to wear, where you have to stand…they try to but us in a box, and they call this fucking ‘WORLD MUSIC’, ‘Ethnical music’…this is not gonna cover up my fucking scars, this is not going to cover up who the fuck I am – so this is not WORLD MUSIC, this is OUR MUSIC!” – Baloji
I love Baloji – a Renaissance Global Pop Star (aka Super Black Man!) in the making who is Belgium-based with deep, complicated roots with his home country of the Congo. I had the honor of collaborating with Blitz the Ambassador in 2011 to help make Baloji’s USA debut at Joe’s Pub, where he brought us his ‘Blues of the Jungle‘. Make sure you check out his videos – which are cinematic and beautiful as fuck.
He rocked Summerstage (watch this backstage interview with Afropop) later in the summer in 2011, and since has been touring globally, landing a slot on the collaborative boundary-smashing Africa Express tour (featuring Damon Albarn, Baaba Maal and others).
As Baloji’s star continues to shine bright as the Pan-African sun – emanating vision, quality, freedom and true self-expression- he’s also been bringing his sharp look all over, posing for huge Fashion labels and magazines over the years.
Baloji in Gentlemen’s Quarterly : Jocks & Nerds Magazine
Just caught this awesome live set on Boiler Room which reminded me of just how big and classy an artist he is for the world. I love that he hasn’t stopped spreading his light and love. I also admire his bold words for the movement he sees himself a part of. MOJA! One! World Music is OUR MUSIC! All of ours.
Watch the whole amazing performance here (via OkayAfrica).