Two months ago, Pierre Kwenders shared his addictive, summer hit Sexus Plexus Nexus. Named after a trilogy of erotic novels by Henry Miller, ‘Sexus Plexus Nexus’ is as sensuous as its source material: a sex, sax, and string-laden confection that floats along until Congolese rumba guitars enter the scene (Pitchfork). Today, the Emperor strikes again and presents not one, but two singles off his sophomore album MAKANDA at the End of Space, the Beginning of Time: La La Love and Tuba Tuba. This new album is set to be released on September 8th via Bonsound.
Watch and share La La Love and Tuba Tuba via YouTube. The two singles are available on all digital platforms now.
La La Love is a love anthem, Pierre explains. Everybody needs love. We can’t get enough of it. Life is short. Let’s enjoy it and dance. No need to bother with what others say. Live and let live, that’s the spirit of Tuba Tuba. These two songs meet in the spirit of celebration, that of love and life.
MAKANDA carries the heritage of a modern Africa in which Congolese Rumba is at the forefront. The album, recorded in Seattle, was produced by Tendai Baba Maraire, one-half of the Seattle-based hip hop duo Shabazz Palaces (Sub pop records). Pierre Kwenders’ musical depth is present throughout the 11 tracks, which combine new wave world music, rumba trap and indie afro. He sings and raps in four languages (Lingala, French, English, Shona), creating aesthetic and lyrical options that most artists do not have. These four languages are the album’s cornerstones.
This album puts Pierre Kwenders at the forefront of the Montreal’s afrocentric music scene. I wanted to reflect a certain sensuality in my lyrics and my singing. There are a lot of love-related songs in this album. I wanted to dedicate it to women, especially, the artist explains. This ode to love is certainly present on the voluptuous song Sexus Plexus Nexus, while on Zonga he remembers a childhood sweetheart and on Rendezvous he sings about taking his dream woman to Paris. The women in Pierre Kwenders’ life give him strength, hence the title Makanda (which means ‘strength’ in Tshiluba).
Pierre collaborated with many talented Seattle-based artists, including SassyBlack, Tanyaradzwa and Hussein Kalonji (a member of Chimurenga Renaissance) who played most of the guitar riffs on the album. He also collaborated with rapper Ish, AKA Ishmael Butler, the second-half of Shabazz Palaces. He is a Grammy-Award winner and former member of legendary group Digable Planets.
With MAKANDA, Pierre reinvents himself, moving away from the up-tempo beat of his debut album Le Dernier Empereur Bantou (2014). He drew inspiration from Congolese rumba legends, wanting to explore new sounds and push the boundaries of his own art.
Don't miss his new album's launch in Montreal on September 13th at the PHI Centre. Tickets are on sale online.
Upcoming shows
08/19/17 Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, QC // Place Lagny
08/31/17 Rouyn-Noranda, QC // Scène extérieure Desjardins (FME)
09/13/17 Montreal, QC // PHI Center (Album launch show)
09/15/17 Toronto, ON // Rivoli
09/16/17 Guelph, ON // Market Square Stage (Guelph Jazz Festival)
09/22/17 Quebec city, QC // Le Cercle
09/22/17 Quebec city, QC // Le Cercle (with Moonshine)
09/23/17 Ottawa, QC // NAC Studio
Il est canadien mais invente l’Afrique électronique, peut rapper en cinq langues et s’imposer en première partie d’Arcade Fire. Son prochain album sera réalisé par un membre de Shabazz Palaces : dites bonjour à Pierre Kwenders, votre nouvelle obsession.
CANAL+
La poésie du chanteur montréalais et sa musique qui nous attaquent à coups de percussion électronique, fait voyager.
Le Journal de Montréal
Even though he has a Juno nomination and Polaris Prize longlist kudos to his name, he hasn’t yet made as big of a splash across the border. With his latest track, “Sexus Plexus Nexus,” this should change.
Pitchfork