Soundtrack for a Coup D'Etat pt.3: DRC Today

In this episode we conclude our look at the Democratic Republic of Congo with an exploration of the music and politics of the country from 1960 to the present day. Beginning with the overthrow of Patrice Lumumba, Jeremy and Tim discuss the colonial and imperialist dynamics that have buffeted the country for the last half century, the cycles of violence this engenders and the role of nations like the US, China and Rwanda have played in destabilising the country. They also unpack the ‘resource curse’ of the DRC’s mineral stocks, the activities of companies like Apple and Tesla, and finish with a reflection from the great Franz Fanon. On the music side of things, we hear a potted history of the conga drum, some drum and bass, electric thumb pianos, handmade amplifiers and an African cousin to footwork. Edited by Matt Huxley. Become a Patron at patreon.com/LoveMessagePod . Tracklist: Zaiko Langa Langa - Femme Ne Pleure Pas Papa Wemba - La Vie Comme Elle Va Bola Grooverider - Rivers of Congo Konono No.1 - Lufuala Ndonga Khalab - Chitita Kokoko! - Malembe Jupiter & Okwess - Na Kozonga Fulu Kolektiv - Lualaba Fulu Kolektiv - Nfuka

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Soundtrack for a Coup D'Etat pt.3: DRC Today is an episode from Love is the Message: Dance, Music and Counterculture by Love is the Message podcast.

This episode is 01:27:56 long.

This episode was published on Nov 20, 2025.

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