On the 30th June 1960, the Republic of Congo, as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was then known, became independent from colonialism. “No Congolese worthy of the name will ever be able to forget that it was by fighting that it has been won” declared the newly elected first Congolese Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba.
Born and having spent his formative years in the DRC, the 30th June has always represented the celebration of independence to El Rehema. Independence for nations; liberty from captivity for individuals; freedom of expression; freedom from fear; freedom of movement, etc. At the same time, the celebration is a reminder of interdependence – the mutual reliance on others.

‘Mural of the Mind’ is an attempt by El Rehema to exercise his freedom of expression to honour the 30th June by shedding some light on subjects close to his heart and mind. Mell B Nyoko’s ‘Crisis in the Congo’ poem introduces the album painting an image of the link between the crisis in the Congo and the consumption culture that we experience in the West. He calls on the production skills of his friend Ashley Onitiri who produces almost every track on the album starting with ‘King Sankara X’ – a homage to Martin Luther King, Thomas Sankara, and Malcolm X. ‘Revolutionary Dance’ is a continuation of the homage with a celebratory yet realistic view before a break from ‘Sifa’.

The album then delves into subjects ranging from the pervasiveness of the ‘American Flag’ to humanity’s blindness to the scarcity of our natural resources and the judgement of future generations in ‘Explorateur’. ‘Delusional’, ‘Lost at Sea’, ‘Freudian Slip’, ‘Dark vs Light’ and ‘Lady Luck’ are results of self-examination by El Rehema on his individuality in a world where ‘me, myself, and I’ is King in light of his spirituality.

The interludes add to the mural the moral compass from his childhood – singing Swahili and Lingala songs in church and at home. ‘Renaissance’ reflects the past of the African continent while focusing on the present and future rebirth of the continent and people “starting with the man in the mirror”. Mell B Nyoko’s ‘We are Congo’ poem triumphantly closes out the album reflecting on the resilience of the Congolese people.

Dedicated to Ya Singo Mudhaki and victims of the Congo wars. God is love!