Show Review: KOKOKO! & Chimurenga Renaissance at High Dive, Seattle

Seattle’s High Dive pulsed with electric energy as KOKOKO! and Chimurenga Renaissance took the stage, delivering an unforgettable night of genre-defying, high-energy performances that bridged continents and cultures. The intimate venue, known for its raw and immersive atmosphere, provided the perfect backdrop for a night of deep rhythms, political expression, and pure musical innovation.

Chimurenga Renaissance: Afrofuturistic Soundscapes

Opening the night, Chimurenga Renaissance—led by the visionary Tendai Maraire (formerly of Shabazz Palaces)—set the tone with a hypnotic fusion of hip-hop, electronic beats, and traditional Zimbabwean mbira melodies. Their set was a sonic journey through space and time, blending ancestral rhythms with modern production, making it feel both ancient and futuristic at once. Maraire’s poetic lyricism carried messages of resilience and revolution, a fitting prelude to the sonic rebellion that was about to follow.

KOKOKO!: A DIY Dance Revolution

By the time KOKOKO! hit the stage, the crowd was primed and ready. Hailing from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the group is known for their explosive live shows and the use of homemade, upcycled instruments—turning everyday objects into percussion-heavy, hypnotic dance machines. From the first beat, the room transformed into a collective frenzy, with pulsating polyrhythms and call-and-response chants driving the energy higher.

Their performance was a masterclass in controlled chaos. The interplay of lo-fi electronic loops, relentless drumming, and raw, shouted vocals created an infectious energy that was impossible to resist. Songs like Tokoliana and Malembe had the crowd moving non-stop, the basslines and relentless rhythms weaving a trance-like experience. The band’s synergy was palpable, feeding off the audience’s wild enthusiasm as the night unfolded into a communal dance ritual.

Final Verdict

This was more than just a concert—it was a full-blown sonic rebellion, a showcase of the power of music as both a cultural bridge and a force for change. Chimurenga Renaissance provided the cerebral, thought-provoking foundation, while KOKOKO! brought the raw, kinetic energy that turned the High Dive into an electrified dance floor.

For those lucky enough to witness this show, it was a reminder of how music—especially from the global underground—can transcend language and borders, creating something deeply human and undeniably powerful. If you ever get a chance to see KOKOKO! or Chimurenga Renaissance live, don’t hesitate. These are artists pushing the boundaries of sound and movement, and their performances are nothing short of revolutionary.