Kasai Masai’s music reflects their journey from the rural to urban, performing music which has been passed on from generation to generation combined with their own contemporary style. 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, moving saxophone.

Nickens Nkoso
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 Bongoman, 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.

Kasai Masai is an established international band performing at many festival including RainForest Festival- Malaysia, Oman World Music Festival, World Music Festival – Bahrain, Zain Party – Spain, Clonmel Festival – Republic of Ireland, World Music LX09 – Portugal to name but few. Nickens has appeared at many festivals including Glastonbury, Womad Reading, Womad Grand Canary. Weltnacht (Germany), The African Nations Cup in Tunisia 2004, Adelaide Womad – Australia 2006, Toured with Kanda Bongoman in Malawi, Kenya and Ethiopia, and has performed on Andy Kershaw’s “World and New”, “Later with Jool’s Holland”, “John Peel session”, BBC3 World Music Day, Resonance FM.

Links:

kasaimasai.com
facebook.com/KasaiMasaiBand
instagram.com/kasaimasai
twitter.com/kasaimasai

Press:

“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