Origins Konono Nº1 originally came from the
Kongo or Bacongo region that spans parts of
Democratic Republic of the Congo and
Angola. The group eventually headquartered themselves in the city of
Kinshasa in the DRC. The group was formed in 1966 by Mingiedi Mawangu, In 2004 The Ex's guitarist Terrie Hessels released a live recording of a Konono Nº1 performance on his label Terp records. The album, titled
Lubuaku, was recorded live in Vera,
Groningen, during the band's tour with The Ex. In 2004 Konono Nº1 began releasing albums through The Belgian label
Crammed Discs. The first of these, entitled
Congotronics, was produced in Kinshasa by Crammed Discs'
Vincent Kenis and released to much enthusiasm from the international press. Since then the group has achieved renown in North America, Europe, and Japan, supported by extensive touring. In 2006 the band won the Newcomer Award from the
BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music. That same month
Crammed Discs released the fourth volume in its
Congotronics series,
Assume Crash Position, produced by
Vincent Kenis. Six months later the label released
Tradi-Mods Vs. Rockers: Alternative Takes on Congotronics, a multi-artist album containing interpretations, covers and tributes to the music of
Kasai Allstars, Konono Nº1 and other Congotronics bands, recorded by 26 indie rock and electronic musicians, including a.o.
Deerhoof,
Animal Collective,
Andrew Bird,
Juana Molina,
Shackleton,
Megafaun,
Aksak Maboul, Mark Ernestus and others. In 2011, Konono N°1 took part in the
Congotronics vs Rockers project, a "superband" including ten Congolese and ten indie rock musicians that included members of
Deerhoof,
Wildbirds & Peacedrums,
Kasai Allstars, and
Skeletons, along with
Juana Molina. This superband collaborated to create a common repertoire and performed at 15 major festivals and venues in ten countries.
Lineage Konono Nº1 founder Mingiedi Mawangu stopped touring with the band around 2009, and entrusted his duties as band leader and lead likembe player to his son Augustin Mawangu Mingiedi, who further developed the sound of Konono's electric thumb piano by using various effect pedals. Mingiedi Mawangu died on April 15, 2015, aged 85. ==Awards==