Angry Blackmen (Chicago, USA) / Kokonelle & DJ Ropa (MUC)
ANGRY BLACKMEN
Experimental hip-hop duo ANGRY BLACKMEN was founded in Chicago in early 2017. In their songs, rappers Brian Warren and Quentin Branch eloquently navigate the trenches of US turbo-capitalism and write unvarnished poetry about our pre-apocalyptic, hyper-capitalist society, peppered with anecdotes about personal tragedies and surviving as POCs in their everyday Chicago lives. They consciously counter patriarchal-masculine rapper stereotypes with personal lyrics about depression or existentialism, offering a passionate yet introspective look at the world we live in. The comparison with the popular hip-hop duo “Run The Jewels”, who have been appealing to the masses for years with lyrics that are similarly critical of society, power and capitalism, while also making people dance, seems obvious. However, with their music productions, which combine noise and industrial soundscapes with utopian, Afro-futuristic motifs, “Angry Blackmen” convey their criticism of the current absurdities and grievances they report on in a darker and musically more relentless way.
Their live shows however are anything but dreary, as they engage the audience, making them dance and jump until a feeling of catharsis sets in, inspiring hope for the future, as difficult as that may seem. In 2024, ABM released their album “The Legend of ABM”, a 30-minute narrative about black men navigating the (urban) North American wilderness, and we are delighted that we will be able to experience such an exceptional group in Munich for the first time!
https://earth-agency.com/artist/angry-blackmen/
KOKONELLE & DJ ROPA
KOKONELLE
KOKONELLE is a multidimensional artist with Congolese roots from Kinshasa. She is active as a singer, rapper and songwriter, but also realizes herself and her vision through activist work, visual arts, as an educational speaker and as a curator of art exhibitions. Her musical journey began early in her childhood, and she has been performing with passion and dedication since her youth. However, Koko wrote her first real songs relatively late and she only really took off during the pandemic. What makes KOKONELLE special is her unique fusion of different genres and languages. Her style is a mix of hip hop, RnB, Afro and soul, in different languages such as English, Lingala, French and German. This diversity is not only reflected in her voice and her melodies and flows, but also in her profound lyrics, which capture a beautiful and wide range of emotions and experiences. On stage, Kokonelle creates a very special atmosphere. With her powerful voice and authentic presence, she captivates the audience and leaves a lasting impression on every stage. She brings not only her musical talent, but also her unique perspective and life experiences that enrich and deepen her art.
https://www.instagram.com/kokonelle/ https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/muenchen-band-der-woche-kokonelle-rap-aktivistin-1.5818844
ROPA
ROPA is a Zimbabwean born upcoming artist based in Munich, Germany. She is a rapper, singer, songwriter, but mainly a DJ. She merges amapiano, afrohouse, afrotech, dancehall, hip hop and a touch of afrobeats. “My inspirations include Doja Cat and Amorphous. I make music and playlists and I’m excited to plug people to something that’ll make them open their shazam”.
