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Baloji (rapper)

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Baloji
Baloji in 2020
Baloji in 2020
Background information
Born (1978-09-12) 12 September 1978 (age 46)
Lubumbashi, Zaïre (now Democratic Republic of the Congo)
GenresPop rap
Occupation(s)Rapper, singer, songwriter, film director
Years active1998–present
LabelsDiscipline, Warner Music / EMI (with Starflam)
Websitebaloji.com

Baloji (born 12 September 1978) is a Belgian rapper, singer and film director of Congolese origin. Known as MC Balo in the hip hop group Starflam, he continued as solo artist starting 2006. The name Baloji in Swahili translates to "man of science".[1] His film Omen was selected as the Belgian entry for Best International Feature Film at the 96th Academy Awards.[2]

Career

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Born out of wedlock to a Belgian father and a Congolese mother, he moved to Belgium at an early age with his father to live in Ostende, losing all contact with his mother.[3] Feeling estranged in his new environment and after disputes with his father and petty crimes and problems with police, he quit home and lived in a youth delinquent house working on his passion for rap and dance.[4] Alongside his friends, he started the hip hop band Starflam at age 15.[5] The band's self-titled debut album in 1998 was Starflam and the follow-up album Survivant released on Capitol / EMI in 2001 went platinum and was rereleased with a Survivant – Édition Spéciale in EMI the following year. In 2003, the band had yet another studio album Donne moi de l'amour. But after differences with the other members of the band, Baloji quit music in 2004.

After Baloji discovered a letter from his mother whom he hadn't seen since 1981, and after winning a poetry competition in Paris, France, he decided to return to music in 2006 as a solo artist. His debut solo album in 2008 entitled Hotel Impala was an autobiographical album about his life, including a hearty response to his mother's letter. "I made my first solo album for my mother, to explain what happened in my life during the 25 years after I left. I went back to give her the album and she did not really understand it. Let’s say it didn’t go very well", says Baloji.[6] The album was certified gold, with the album winning two "Octaves de la musique" awards as well as Rapsat-Lelièvre Award and Brassens Awards for Lyricists.[7] He followed it up with albums Kinshasa Succursale in 2011 and 64 Bits and Malachite in 2015.

His film "Omen" debuted at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Un Certain Regard New Voice Prize. The film had 13 nominations at the Africa Movie Academy Awards.[8] The film's soundtrack was released as a five-track EP with MCA Records.[9]

Discography

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Baloji performing in 2016

Albums

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As part of Starflam
  • 1998: Starflam [Discipline Records / Rough Trade]
  • 2000: Live & Direct [Warner Music Benelux]
  • 2001: Survivant [Capitol/EMI]
  • 2002: Survivant – Édition Spéciale (EMI)
  • 2003: Donne moi de l'amour [Hostile/EMI]
  • 2004: Donne moi de l'amour – Édition Deluxe (EMI)
Solo
  • 2008: Hotel Impala
  • 2011: Kinshasa Succursale
  • 2015: 64 Bits and Malachite
  • 2018: 137 Avenue Kaniama

Maxis and singles

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As part of Starflam
  • 1997: "Corde raide" [12", Discipline Records]
  • 1998: Ce plat pays II [12" & CD, Discipline Records]
  • 2000: Bled runner [12" & CD, Warner Music Benelux]
  • 2001: "De cause à effet" / "Ca tape dur" [12", Capitol / EMI]
  • 2001: La Sonora [12 & CD, Capitol / EMI]
  • 2001: Amnésie Internationale [12" & CD, Capitol / EMI]
  • 2002: Sous pression [12" & CD, Capitol / EMI]
  • 2003: "Marseille – Liège" / "Mr Orange" [12", Hostile / EMI]
  • 2003: "Ils ne savent pas" [12", Hostile / EMI]
Featured in
  • 2015: "La vie est belle / Life is Beautiful" (Petite Noir feat. Baloji)

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2011 Bullhead Patrick
2017 How Camels Become Lions Baloji
2019 Zombies Director
2019 Binti Jovial Nominated–Magritte Award for Most Promising Actor
2023 Omen Director, screenwriter

References

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  1. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (26 May 2023). "Congolese Belgian Rapper-Turned-Filmmaker Baloji Looks for Good 'Omen' With Cannes Debut". Variety. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  2. ^ Roxborough, Scott (14 September 2023). "Oscars: Belgium Picks 'Omen' as International Feature Submission". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  3. ^ Roxborough, Scott (2 July 2023). "Karlovy Vary: 'Omen' Director Baloji on Telling Stories From an African Perspective". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  4. ^ Libre, La (8 December 2023). "La Libre.be - Suivez en direct toute l'actualité belge et internationale, économique et culturelle". La Libre.be (in French). Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Screening at Cannes: Baloji's 'Omen' Explores Family and Culture Through Magical Realism". Observer. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Baloji on his EP's re-release and reasserting his creative freedom". TRUE Africa. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  7. ^ Crammed: Baloji biography (in French)
  8. ^ Ntim, Zac (24 October 2023). "UTA Signs Baloji, Director Of Belgium's Oscar Pick 'Omen'". Deadline. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  9. ^ Ntim, Zac (30 November 2023). "Baloji Releases 'Omen' Soundtrack; Ellie Kemper To Narrate Katherine Center Audiobook; European Film Awards Craft Honors — Global Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
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