STAFF BENDA BILILI

Tres Tres Fort

2009-05-17

Staff Benda Bilili is a band of homeless and disabled (four members are paraplegic) people living in the grounds of Kinshasa Zoo in Congo. Benda Bilili literally translates to "put forward what is hidden", which pretty much means to look beyond appearances. Playing mostly home-made and found instruments, including a plastic armchair drum kit, they were "discovered" when introduced to British and US musicians who visited Kinshasa as part of the Africa Express trip of 2007. They won the hearts of members of Massive Attack and Damon Albarn, with whom they performed. This is an album of amazingly optimistic songs that document everyday life for these people. Take the lyrics to "Tonkara", for instance. "I once slept on cardboard. Good luck hit me. I bought myself a mattress. It can happen to you..." Optimistic indeed! Rebecca Ruth.

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #World

  • reviewed 06/2006

    BANCO DE GAIA
    Farewell Ferengistan

  • reviewed 11/2010

    THE GREEN
    The Green

  • reviewed 08/2016

    Ben Chatwin
    Heat & Entropy

  • reviewed 02/2011

    SHAWN LEE'S PING PONG ORCHESTRA
    World of Funk

  • reviewed 03/2008

    Various Artist
    Spirits In The Material World

  • reviewed 05/2009

    Balkan Beat Box
    Nu Made

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.