Rising African star Baloji curates mixtape for Best Fit

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Rising star of the African music scene, Baloji was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Belgium, where he paid his dues with acclaimed hip hop crew Starflam.

His 2007 solo debut Hotel Impala - a biographical response to his estranged mother asking him what he’d done with his life at that point – showcased a frenetic style that borrowed as much from poetry and modern fable as the standard lyrical tropes.

He recently performed as part of the 2012 Africa Express and recently became an advocate for the new Studio Africa initiative from Diesel and EDUN to promote more emerging talent from the continent.

For his Best Fit mixtape, Baloji chose a selection of traacks that reflect his appreciation of the best sounds from various corners of the earth as well a fine appreciation for the best soul, jazz, funk and hip hop. Listen to the whole thing below.

Tracklist

1 Roberto Fonseca – ’80s’
2 Billy Paul – ‘East’
3 Caribou – ‘Odessa’
4 Tabu Ley Rochereau – ‘Karibou Ya Bintou’
5 Orchestre Afrisa International – ‘Aon-aon’
6 Unknown Mortal Orchestra – ‘So Good at Being in Trouble’
7 John Cage – ‘Sonata VI’
8 Dur Dur Band – ‘Dooyoo’
9 Virgo Four – ‘It’s a Crime’ (Caribou Remix)
10 Joey Bada$$ ft Ab-soul – ‘Enter the Void’
11 LV + Das Kaptial – ‘Inhliziyo Yami Izibozi’ (feat. Okmalumkoolkat)
12 Kendrick Lamar ft Gunplay – ‘Cartoon and Cereal’
13 Manu Dibango – ‘The Panther’
14 Moroka – ‘Vodun’