Baloji - L'hiver Indien (featuring Gael Faye)

Pre Order the album here baloji.bandcamp.com/album/kaniama-t…-yellow-version

Congolese-born, Belgium-based artist Baloji has released a new Afro-Disco single, "L'hiver Indien" (ft. Gael Faye), a faux feel-good track that beneath its euphoric exterior explores the disconnect of migrant communities in larger society. BlackBook premiered the remixed song from Baloji’s upcoming album Kaniama: The Yellow Version, out May 3 via Bella Union. Baloji discussed the album and more on NPR’s Weekend Edition.

The original "L'hiver Indien" - with over 2 Million Spotify streams - comes from Baloji’s previous album 137 Avenue Kaniama, released last year on Bella Union. The label is re-releasing the album as the artist originally intended it, as a one-track mixtape on May 3. In a world of fleeting singles, Kaniama: The Yellow Version brings back the full album listening experience.

Baloji is an artist in motion, a musician, poet, film director and man of many images and ideas. Baloji means “man of science” in Swahili, but shifted during the colonial period to “man of the occult sciences and sorcery.” With influences from Outkast and LCD Soundsystem to African rumba king Tabu Ley Rochereau and salsa music legends Fania Records, he mixes hip hop culture with Congolese guitars and a melodic approach with some French chanson structure. His perpetual motion is showcased in music videos like “Soleil De Volt,” where he fronts a satirical variety show band with flamboyant flare, also apparent in his sharp curation of Komono eyewear collections.