Crushed by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the heat wave, the Pope’s visit to Quebec and who knows what else, the news from the African continent is struggling to capture our interest. Naxx Bitota and Kizaba are also sorry, especially as important news is rushing in their country of origin, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Let’s talk about music and politics with these two Montreal artists performing at the Festival international Nuits d’Afrique.
Naxx Bitota has chosen to launch Kuetuhis first album, on June 30, the day of the 62e anniversary of the independence of his native country. Kuetu, which means “at home” in Tshiluba, one of the approximately 200 ethnic languages spoken in the DRC, the most populous country (nearly 100 million inhabitants, according to estimates) of all the French-speaking world.
“This record is a tribute to my roots” through the popular music of Congo-Kinshasa, rumba of course, mutuashi and sebene, all of this mixed with the pop, jazz and gospel influences of the musician. Her voice is so sweet that with each of her songs, Naxx Bitota seems to want to embrace us. “It’s true that I’m often told that,” she replies. The public is used to seeing me on stage dancing and livening up the evening, while listening to my album, you notice the softness. They tell me that it’s nice to discover myself like that! »
In concert on July 24 on the large outdoor site of the festival, in the Quartier des Spectacles, Naxx Bitota is one of the few representatives of the rich Congolese musical culture on the bill for this edition of the International Festival Nuits d’Afrique. Let’s count them: Joyce N’Sana (from Congo-Brazzaville, nuance!), Kizaba, Blaise Labamba & Kotakoli and Zilla Manikongo (July 23, outdoor stage). Their strong presence on the bill is expected: Quebecers of Congolese origin constitute one of the largest communities of African origin in our province.
“We really form a small family,” says Kizaba, speaking of Quebec musicians with ties to the DRC. “We support each other, all together”. As proof, friend Pierre Kwenders, undoubtedly the most notorious of Congo-Quebecers, is collaborating on his next album, expected in November, from which he will unveil some excerpts during his concert on Friday at the Fairmount theatre. Moving a bit away from the pop-rock influences of his previous album, Lionel Kizaba today embraces the “afro-futurist” vision of his pop tinged with soukouss, “afrobeats” style as Wizkid and Burna Boy do.
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Naxx Bitota grew up in Belgium, which celebrates its national day on July 21. In his traditional address to the nation, King Philippe mentioned his recent visit to the DRC, at the invitation of President Félix Tshisekedi: “During our trip […], we were able to turn an important page in our common history with the DRC. Things have been said, strong gestures have been made,” he said, alluding to the “deepest regrets” he expressed in a letter to the Congolese head of state for “the injuries, suffering and humiliation” suffered by his people during colonization.
Kizaba says he is “insulted” by this visit loaded with symbols, in particular that of the retribution to the DRC of the tooth of the statesman Patrice Lumumba, national hero, crucial actor in the accession to independence of the country, assassinated in 1961 and whose circumstances of death are again the subject of an investigation by the Belgian authorities. “I have no problem with welcoming the king, but why? I never celebrate independence [de la RDC], because I know the suffering. Belgium continues to rule the Congo, until today. If at least his visit had served to create jobs and helped relieve the population, I would have been happy. »
“We are celebrating the 62e anniversary of independence, but we are not really independent yet,” adds Naxx Bitota. “When will we allow ourselves to manage our country? That the president rolls out the red carpet is good, a sign of respect. But Lumumba’s body, that famous tooth being restored, I find that insulting. Because, as I said at the launch of my album: “Lumumba died for free, and he was fighting for a noble ideal!” We took him away from his homeland, from his family, while he was fighting for all of Africa, and it took years before we finally recognized him. »
In his speech, the King of the Belgians also invited the population to participate, “with the international community, in the resolution of the deadly conflict which is taking place in eastern Congo”. Another important Congolese news item: the resurgence of the M23, a rebel movement which forces the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Congolese fleeing the North Kivu region and which is (again) suspected of being financed by neighboring Rwandan state.
The return of the M23 sows concern in the Congolese-Quebec cottages, assure Naxx Bitota and Kizaba. “We talk about it, and not enough, at the risk of sounding like a complainer! laments Naxx Bitota. “Even journalists covering the conflict are at risk. You can feel disconnected from what’s going on in the east; it is the duty of everyone, and of every Congolese, to make the effort to inform themselves” about this conflict. “And me, as an artist, I try to make my own little contribution by talking about what’s going on there. »
Kizaba will be in concert on July 22 at the Fairmount Theater. Naxx Bitota will sing on July 24, on the Esplanade stage, within the outdoor site of the Festival international Nuits d’Afrique, before the closing concert of Yemi Alade.