Nkisi

November 26, 2022
Organized by Diego Villalobos for the The Wattis Institute
Hosted at The Lab

Percussion instruments are among the earliest instruments in human history. At the very least, they are keepers of time, but they can achieve far more and transport us into a realm beyond music.

As a fierce DJ, Nkisi channels 160+bpm kick drums, metallic hectic percussions, and hypnotizes the dance floor into a ritualistic transcendental space.

On the occasion of the Drum Listens to Heart exhibition at The Wattis Institute, Nkisi performs a live set at The Lab.

Nkisi produces intense, powerful club tracks equally influenced by African polyrhythms, hardcore techno, and '70s Italian horror films. The London-based musician and visual artist is one of the co-founders of NON Worldwide, a collective of experimental artists from across the African diaspora. In 2020, Nkisi's new label INITIATION emerges with INT001, a 3 track EP melting rhythmic noise strategies with secret drum languages from Ancient Kongo traditions.

Drum Listens to Heart is curated by Anthony Huberman and organized by Diego Villalobos, with assistance by Katherine Jemima Hamilton and Meghan Smith.