Nyege Nyege Tapes announce new album from Rey Sapienz & The Congo Techno Ensemble

Kampala imprint Nyege Nyege Tapes have announced the debut album from Rey Sapienz & The Congo Techno Ensemble, a collective formed of traditional percussionist, vocalist and dancer Papalas Palata and rapper Fresh Dougis.

Since eight years old Sapienz has seen much loss and upheaval in his home of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Having lived through the Second Congo War, a conflict that lasted over five years and created mass displacement and loss of life, he went on to become a rapper in his early teens, before heading to Kampala to collaborate with local producers. But a civil war began back home forcing him to stay in Uganda, leading to him establishing himself in the scene in Kampala, launching his imprint Hakuna Kulala as well as teaching Ableton to younger producers in the city.

Now, with his first LP Na Zala Zala he’s using his music as a statement that speaks to the past, present and future of his country. Signalling a more honed sound than his earlier beatscapes, the project marry traditional music with techno, dancehall and sci-fi mutations, breaking open the stories of the three artists involved.

A collective, label and festival, Nyege Nyege was founded in 2013 by Arlen Dilsizian and Derek Debru as a space for outside music from African artists. The label has hosted releases from the likes of Nihiloxica, HHY & The Kampala Unit, Metal Prayers and Jay Mitta.

Tracklist
‘Dancehall Pigme’
‘Esala Rien’
‘Eza Makambo’
‘Posa Na Bika’
‘Zuwa Ba Risk’
‘Na Zala Zala’
‘Santonge’
‘Minzoto’

Watch the video for ‘EZA MAKAMBO’ below.

Pre-order HERE.