Nkisi

Nkisi is the alias of Melika Ngombe Kolongo, a musician, artist, DJ, and producer born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Belgium.

Nkisi produces intense, powerful sonics influenced by ancient Kongo rhythms, rhythmic noise, our planetary electromagnetic grid, and experimental improvisation.

Musically, her performances are composed of a captivating cross-talk of African rhythms, uncompromising European hard dance tropes, dark synthesizer melodies, and relentless and electrifying energy. She is a co-founder of NON Worldwide, a collective of African and African diaspora musicians, runs record label INITIATION, and leads research platform The Secret Institute, which focuses on exploring the secrets and mysteries of vibrational rhythm, the ritual as a socio-political tool, invisible gestural sonics, and strategies of trance.

Nkisi's recorded work includes ‘Axis Arkestra’ (2020), ‘Subjective Engine’ (R&S Compilation, 2020), and ‘Destruction of power’ (Collapsing Market, 2019). Her sound design includes ‘Sensa,’ with Paul Maheke and Ariel Ashbel, performed at Block Universe London UK; ‘Performa19’ at Abrons Art Centre, NYC; Ludwig Museum Cologne; and Venice Biennial (2019). Nkisi has performed live in venues including Tate Modern, Berlin Atonal, HAU2, and Palais de Tokyo. She curated the Wysing Festival, UK (2017) and a series of events for the Biennale de l’Image en Mouvementin (2018). She is a Resident on NTS Radio.