Rhythms Revisited: Club Sebene // ARP x Rodriguez Vangama

BLCK MAMBA PRESENTS : CLUB SEBENE 

Blck Mamba brings together diaspora, club culture and Congolese heritage in a visionary musical project.

After more than ten years as a DJ, curator and connector within the Afro-electronic scene, Blck Mamba takes a next step with Club Sebene as a creative driving force within the Belgian-Congolese music scene. This audiovisual compilation brings together a generation of Belgian and Congolese artists around one shared approach: a contemporary electronic interpretation of sebene — the hypnotic, rhythmic core of Congolese soukous music. What emerges is a powerful sonic universe where tradition, diaspora, club culture and identity come together. From experimental electronics to Afro-club sounds: Sebene To The Future shows how African musical heritage is being reshaped on international dancefloors today. As curator and creative director, Blck Mamba uses her extensive network to build bridges between generations, scenes and cultures.

NELSON S. LEONI : AFRICAN RHYTHMS POWER 

During a trip to East Congo, a young beatmaker and afro-descendant has a striking encounter with Mababu, a guardian of the oral traditions of the Congo. Mababu’s words still echo in his mind: “Music heals! Rhythm that gives Power…”. This moment awakened in him a quest for his origins and a profound exploration of African rhythms. Through  fascinating encounters and musical experiments, this documentary explores the potent power of African music all the way back to the origins of Afro-American music and Hip Hop. 

Nelson Shongo Léoni, born in Belgium in 2002, is afro descendant with Congolese roots. From an early age, he grew up in an international musical environment with his mother. In  2023, this young beatmaker and graduate from Belgium’s oldest film school, produced “ARP”  a musical documentary, as a student’s project. It follows a trip to Eastern Congo, where he carried out an humanitarian mission at Dr. Denis Mukwege’s Panzi Foundation in Bukavi, South Kivu, in 2022. 

RODRIGUEZ VANGAMA

Rodriguez Vangama is a renowned guitarist and bassist. Thanks to his talent as a musician, arranger and producer, he is sought after by major artists such as Papa Wemba, Werrason, Jean Goubald, Lexxus Legal and Monik Tenday. He played in the jazz group J’AFROZZ and collaborated with Pierre Vaiana and Baloji. Together with Fabrizio Cassol, he took on the musical direction of the production ‘Coup Fatal’, a show that toured the world and was a huge success. He is also continuing his collaboration with Alain Platel on *Requiem pour L.*, for which he co-composed the music and conducts.

He is currently on an international tour with Ray Lema for the project *Hommage à Franco*.

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