Since January 2025, escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has led to a series of massacres. The M23 rebels, supported by Rwanda, have caused the deaths of 7,000 people, according to The Guardian, in cities such as Goma and Bukavu. Meanwhile, an Ugandan Islamist group carried out a massacre in the village of Kasanga, in North Kivu.
Faced with this desperate situation, which is nothing new since massacres have been ongoing for 50 years, Gradur has brought together several Congolese-origin French and Belgian rappers for an unprecedented mobilization. The lineup is impressive: Gradur, Ninho, Josman, Youssoupha, Kalash Criminel, Damso. Together, they deliver a powerful track, “Free Congo”, carrying a message of hope but also of outrage in the face of a crisis that persists in general indifference. The track also denounces the silence of international institutions and countries such as France and Belgium, historically involved in the region.
Gradur Unites Congolese Rappers for “Free Congo”!
A Powerful and Melancholic Production
The instrumental for “Free Congo” is produced by Rim’s and Stefio. Rim’s has an impressive track record, having worked on “Illégal”, “Passe à la caisse”, and “Sheguey 12” by Gradur, as well as the classic “Terrasser”. He also produced “Euphorie” for Kalash Criminel and “Cavaliero” for Booba.
The production, designed to bring together six Congolese artists with very different styles, blends melancholy and power, creating a common ground for these engaged voices.
Impactful Punchlines to Break the Silence
The rappers take turns, using their words to denounce the media silence surrounding the Congolese genocide. Years ago, Youssoupha already highlighted this issue in “À Force de le Dire”:
“There’s this human tragedy the world chooses to ignore
Yet the war in Congo has taken more than four million lives.”
In “Free Congo”, he reinforces his message with another striking line:
“Message for my country, this is the thousandth one, I don’t have Eminem’s skin tone
So the news won’t bother to cover it when we’re slaughtered for minerals.”
Kalash Criminel delivers a scathing punchline:
“Eh, Leopold killed more than Hitler, but since they were Congolese, it doesn’t count
In Goma, North Kivu, bombs drop, Free Congo every day, my fight
They killed Lumumba and gave us back a tooth.”
Ninho questions the paradox of a resource-rich country in turmoil:
“I wonder why a country so rich has so many problems
It’s because of those who think about their pockets before their people.”
Damso twists the famous Roman motto “Veni, Vidi, Vici” with dark irony:
“I came, I saw, and I almost cried.”
The Belgian artist, long known for his activism, previously paid tribute to his homeland in “Graine de Sablier”.
A Visual Statement of Protest and Activism
The music video alternates between studio footage and scenes from a protest, where the artists, holding turquoise flags, advocate for the liberation of Congo. The video is directed by NH CAM, also credited for the visual “Throwback #1” by A2Z.
