KASAI MASAI Biography
“Aim to unite all African tribes torn by colonialism”
Named after a river, Kasai is a region in Congo which lies in the heart of the rain forest where many tribes such as the Baka still maintain their traditional lifestyles. The Maasai, just like the Baka, are another dignified tribe whose lives still centre around a nomadic existence.
Based in London, Kasaï Masaï brings us the traditional sound of the most remote equatorial villages with an urban twist.
The band plays ancestral music which has been passed on from generation to generation and is rooted in the healing power of percussion and chanting combined with the majestic sound of the Congolese folk guitar. The saxophone and an MC were added to bring a new element to the music: essential urban groves from Kinshasa.
The audience soon feels the music oozing through their veins and find themselves on their feet and moving toward the dance floor.
“Kasai Masai successfully marry a respect for vintage grooves with an overwhelming urge to move the dance floor this is the sound of the old and new, of the countryside and the city, from deep in the heart of Africa…” Nige Tassell—Womad Festival
Kasaï Masaï is a 5 piece outfit, consisting of djembe, guitar, saxophone, bass, and drum. To add that extra exotic touch they are also joined by one or two female dancers.
Kasai Masai is an established international band they perform at many festival including RainForest Festival- Malaysia, Oman World Music Festival, World Music Festival – Bahrain, Zain – Spain, Clonmel Festival – Republic of Ireland, World Music LX09 – Portugal to name but few.
It 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 Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Kanda Bongoman, Mose Fan Fan and Sam Mapangala etc…
In the UK, he has been a member of Koko Kanyinda’s Soukous Koumbele, Robert Maseko’s Congo Beat, Baboma etc…..
Nickens has appeared at many festivals including Glastonbury, Womad Reading, Womad Grand Canary. Weltnacht (Germany), Womad Adelaide 2006. He has also played at the African Nations Cup in Tunisia in 2004.
TV & Radio: Nickens has performed on Andy Kershaw’s “World and New”, “Later with Jool’s Holand”, “John Peel session”, BBC3 World Music Day, Resonance FM etc…
“The only way to get peace in Africa is to unite all the divided tribes” Kasai Masai
Contact: Nick/Sabrina Tel: 0207 – 241 3280/079 5684 0008 – info@kasaimasai.com
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