Wed 20 - Ambient Assembly
Nkisi
The Congolese-Belgian artist – known as the co-founder of NON Worldwide, amongst her many other activities – cuts a fierce path through African polyrhythms, hardcore techno, and '70s Italian horror films.
Melika Ngombe Kolongo was born in Congo, raised in Belgium, and began using the moniker Nkisi after moving to London in 2012. Gravitating toward the more aggressive side of dance music, yet maintaining a heavy emotional factor as well as a sense of dreaminess, her intense, powerful club tracks are equally influenced by African polyrhythms, hardcore techno, and '70s Italian horror films. Her first releases, 16 and 21, appeared on the Doomcore label in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Along with Chino Amobi and Angel-Ho, Nkisi co-founded NON Worldwide – a collective of experimental artists from across the African diaspora – in 2015. Nkisi's EP The Dark Orchestra was released by Warp's Arcola imprint in early 2018, followed the next year by her debut full- length, 7 Directions, issued by Lee Gamble's UIQ. The album was inspired by the African cosmology of the Bantu-Kongo, particularly the writings of Kongo scholar Dr. Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau. In 2020, Nkisi's new label INITIATION emerged with a 3 track EP melting rhythmic noise strategies with secret drum languages from ancient Kongo traditions. As a fierce DJ, Nkisi channels 160+bpm kick drums, metallic hectic percussion and hypnotizes the dance floor into a ritualistic transcendental space.