Bonaventure

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Swedish-Congolese producer/graphic designer Soraya Lutangu, who records under the moniker Bonaventure, makes abrasive, experimental dance music that confronts institutional racism and oppression. Her complex, collage-like recordings, including 2017′s FREE LUTANGU, incorporate speech samples from documentaries, violent sound effects, and aggressive yet atmospheric electronic rhythms. Lutangu grew up in Lausanne, Switzerland and later relocated to Berlin. She initially pursued graphic and book design but decided to become a musician in 2015 following the violent, racially charged death of her nephew, Bonaventure. Naming herself Bonaventure in tribute, she cited music-making as an “identity research tool” and a way to “connect her African and European roots and investigate human boundaries.” In 2016, she participated in Berlin Community Radio’s Incubator project and was selected as a winner. Her first single, “Complexion,” was released by NON WORLDWIDE and included a remix by label co-founder Chino Amobi. Bonaventure’s debut EP, FREE LUTANGU, appeared on Purple Tape Pedigree in 2017. Its first track, “Supremacy,” sampled Sister Souljah’s speech from the 1992 PBS series Listening to America, and closing cut “Fearlings” featured spoken word artist Hannah Black, whom Lutangu collaborated with for a performance piece titled ANXIETINA. Following a relocation to Berlin, Bonaventure’s second EP, Mentor, arrived courtesy of Planet Mu. The release included a further collaboration with Black, “Both,” as well as a contribution by Debby Friday on the track “Colony.” ~ Paul Simpson