Jupiter & Okwess

New Album: Ekoya Album release date: 7th February 2025// Label: Airfono

"Jupiter & Okwess, bring echoes of funk, psychedelia and salsa to their unmistakably African rock” New York Times (US)

“Another strong set of vibrant, energetic, soulful Congolese funk, rock, Afrobeat, and soukous that ranges from fiery, hyperkinetic jams to mellow, beautiful ballads” KEXP (US)

“Further cements the Congolese outfit’s uncanny knack for pairing catchy hooks, hypnotic grooves with defiantly upbeat, politically charged messages” The Joy of Violent Movement (US)

"The remarkable journey of Jupiter and his band Okwess, from their humble beginnings as street musicians in Kinshasa to their electrifying performances on global stages has been nothing short of incredible. Jupiter & Okwess are poised to captivate an even wider audience with their exhilarating music” KLOF (UK)

“An exciting, grooving journey in which he combines traditional Congolese styles with rock, soul and funk. As dynamic as they are rousing, Jupiter & Okwess show that African music continues to develop after its heyday in the seventies and eighties” Heaven (NL)

Jupiter Bokondji, the iconic figure from Kinshasa known as the "Rebel General," delivers to the world a unique sound where Congolese roots blend seamlessly with rock, funk, and soul influences. Together with his band, Jupiter & Okwess, he unleashes explosive energy, drawing from the rich musical traditions of his homeland while forging connections between Africa and the world. After captivating international audiences with *Hotel Univers*, *Kin Sonic*, and *Na Kozonga*, the group now presents their fourth album, *Ekoya* ("It Will Come"). In this opus, Jupiter invites us to reflect: what does "it will come" mean? Is it a premonition of an inevitable destiny or a kind of fatalism? By introducing female voices into his otherwise allmale group — women who are themselves rebels — Jupiter challenges expectations. Is this a deliberate choice or a twist of fate? Perhaps a bit of both.
This album invites everyone to listen — to others, to nature, to the rumblings of a world in transformation. With the captivating groove of Jupiter & Okwess, *Ekoya* takes us on a musical journey filled with reflection and vibrations, movement and dreams, allowing us to be swept away by its rebellious and universal energy.

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