Kasai Masai’s music reflects their journey from the rural to the urban world. They mix the infectious dance grooves of Soukous, traditional Congolese folkloric music, and of course their own contemporary style and Kasai Masai magic.
Written in Swahili, Lingala and Kimongo, Kasai Masai’s lyrics portray the cultural diversity of Congo where more than four hundred languages are spoken.
Kasai Masai’s original compositions have moved beyond traditional expectations of Congolese music with their galloping rhythms, strong melodies, passionate beats, swinging guitars and soaring saxophones.
Kasai Masai love playing to crowds of all sizes. From intimate acoustic jams to the full on-stage experience of festivals like Womad and Wilderness in the UK, Pete the Monkey, RainForest Festival in Malaysia, Oman World Music Festival, World Music Festival in Bahrain, Zain Party in Spain, Clonmel Festival in the Republic of Ireland and World Music LX in Portugal, and many more.
Based in London, the band have a busy schedule in the capital. They regularly feature at Focus Africa events in the city, as one of the UK-based Soukous heavyweights. The band also perform with Kanda Bongo Man, a legend of Soukous music, to huge audiences all around the world.
Kasai Masai have released a number of albums, and collaborations. You can listen to more of their music on Spotify and Soundcloud accounts.
A BAND OF CONGOLESE MAESTROS
NICKENS NKOSO
BORN: KINSHASA
Kasai Masai is led by percussionist, singer and dancer Nickens Nkoso. Nickens is a well known figure on the world music circuit. He has worked alongside international Congolese artists including Kanda Bongo Man, Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Madilu System, Canta Nyboma, Mose Fan Fan and Sam Mapangala.
In the UK he has been a member of Safroman’s All in One, Koko Kanyinda’s Soukous Koumbele, Robert Maseko’s Congo Beat, Mongo Ley’s Les Zaza, Muana Mousa’s Banda Banda, Nsimba Foggis’ Taxi Pata Pata, Micky Djo Lusala’s Soukous Gang, and Baboma.
OTIS LUMUMBA
BORN: KINSHASA
After playing in a gospel band for two years Otis got his big break when he joined ‘Wenge Musica (Maison Mere)’ and with them began to tour worldwide. These tours took him throughout Africa and Europe where he played to sell-out stadium venues. After playing at ‘Zenith’ in Paris the group was nominated for two ‘Kora Awards’ for best African group of 2001 & 2002.
One of the finest Congolese guitarists of his generation. Also based in London, Otis regularly performs with Kanda Bongo Man, Kasai Masai, as well as pursuing his individual musical projects. He’s also a well-renowned musical educator.
CLAUDE BULA
BORN: KINSHASA
Arguably the finest Congolese bassist in Europe. Claude has huge amounts of experience playing with many of the finest musicians of his generation, including Kanda Bongo Man and many more.
JEAN-CLAUDE MULUMBA
BORN: ÉLISABETHVILLE
The rhythmical engine and soukous heartbeat of Kasai Masai, Jean Claude’s infectious grooves are the stuff of dance-floor legend.
Danceable, yet subtle and sophisticated grooves befitting a band of this stature.