K.O.G & The Zongo Brigade
K.O.G & The Zongo Brigade are an eight-strong afro-fusion collective with an international outlook. Hitting the Eco Park stage on Saturday 16th March.
Under the guidance of the outrageously talented Ghanaian force of nature Kweku Sackey, aka K.O.G, and the whirlwind of energy that is Jamaican rapper Franz Von Song, the Zongo Brigade deliver infectious, high-energy West African grooves via Sheffield, drawing on afrobeat, soul, funk, rock, hip hop and reggae which has fast gained recognition in London and all over the UK.
K.O.G’s signature mix of high-energy songs, raps, operatic vocal effects, along with the hard-hitting patois raps from the spirited Franz Von Song and a dedicated band of serious musical badmen, has led the band to perform on some of the biggest stages including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds Festivals and numerous clubs and venues around Europe.
Their new album ‘Wahala Wahala’ is set to land on March 8th via heavenly Sweetness and it’s a startling, addictive long player.
With a backdrop of unmistakable African rhythms that include electric brass, thunderous percussion and sharp-edge guitar, ‘Wahala Wahala’ takes possession of the body as the words excite the mind. Racism, rejection, inequality, exile – the subject matter is always serious but the delivery irresistibly upbeat and rhythmic, guaranteed to get the feet moving because in every pain, there is also joy.
New single ‘For My People’ merges the indigenous rhythms of Africa with an energetic mix of tones and grooves while songs like ‘Suro Nipa’ and ‘Home’ offer subtle takes on jazz. K.O.G & the Zongo Brigade’s African fusion absorbs everything in its path without ever diluting its soul. Hip hop, street sounds, mutated jazz, indigenous music are all key ingredients while the fizzing ‘Mad-Up’ is a heady brew of rock, ragga, funk and soul.
“This album brings to light the strength and endurance of us as HUMANS. A personal journey and documentation of most of the obstacles we have faced as we have moved from 2 different worlds and how we have overcome these struggles through the freedom of art and music through a firm connection with our roots and culture. It’s music from our soul telling stories how we were told growing up and merging grooves and African rhythms to exhibit the spirit of AFRICA in relation to where we are in the diaspora”, says K.O.G.
Get your tickets HERE
