Montparnasse Musique: Follow Makonda into Kinshasa’s Creative World

A track can open a door to more than an artist’s discography. Makonda by Montparnasse Musique, listed in NAM Radio’s catalogue, leads into a network of Congolese musicians, electronic producers and visual artists. Following those credits offers a richer discovery route than stopping at a genre label.

Meet the collaborators

Real World Records’ artist profile introduces Montparnasse Musique through Algerian-French producer Nadjib Ben Bella and South African DJ Aero Manyelo. The label describes a project combining acoustic and electronic approaches, with connections to Johannesburg’s club music and Congolese collaborators. Its self-titled debut EP appeared in 2021 and included Makonda and Panter. Read the official artist profile.

That background is useful because the project’s name does not tell the whole story. The featured performers matter too. When exploring a collaborative release, checking who sings, plays and produces can turn one discovery into several.

Makonda has a visual story

The label identifies Konono Nº1, the Kinshasa band, as a collaborator on Makonda. Its official video was filmed on Kinshasa’s streets by Renaud Barret and features members of the Bakoko collective, whose work combines fashion design and performance. Watch Makonda and read the video notes.

Those credits give the images a specific context: they connect the song with named creative practitioners in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Treat the video as another part of the discovery, with its own makers and ideas to follow.

Try listening once without watching, then return to the video. Which sounds attract your attention first? Does seeing movement and costume change where you focus? These are listening prompts, not a claim that NAM Radio has conducted a first-hand review or interviewed the participants.

Continue through Archeology

The next stop is Archeology, released on 21 October 2022. The official 12-track listing credits Menga Waku on Makonda and Malele, while Bonjour and Panter feature Muambuyi and Mopero Mupemba. The album page includes streaming links and detailed liner notes by Jane Cornwell. Explore Archeology and its credits.

Choose a route through those names. Follow Menga Waku from Makonda to Malele, or move to Bonjour to explore another collaboration. This keeps the people behind the recordings in view as you build your own picture of the project.

A further connection: Volta

The collaboration extends beyond that album. In a news post published on 15 May 2026, Real World Records announced Volta by Konono Nº1, created in collaboration with Montparnasse Musique. The announcement provides a listening link. Read the announcement and listen to Volta.

Start with Makonda, explore its video, then follow one collaborator into the wider catalogue. For more music discovery, listen to NAM Radio and browse the programme schedule.

Editorial note: AI-assisted discovery feature by NAM Radio Discovery Desk. Sources checked on 14 October 2026. Artist, release and video information is paraphrased from the linked official label pages; this is not an interview or first-hand review. Cover: Montparnasse Musique release artwork already held in NAM Radio’s song catalogue. Catalogue inclusion does not guarantee a particular broadcast time.