Artists at Risk (AR) is excited to announce our newest AR-Resident Osée Elektra at AR-Safe Haven Zanzibar Entertainment Foundation (AR-ZAEF).
Akonkwa Bujiriri Osée, who goes by the name Osée Elektra, is a Congolese slam artist, rapper, poet, activist and entrepreneur from Goma.
Osée has developed a form of expression that fuses slam, rap and traditional rhythms. His artistic work is part of a broader approach to mobilization that recognises the power of collective memory and the construction of a shared cultural imagination. He has also contributed to enhancing the cultural and creative industries in the African Great Lakes region through his entrepreneurial work.
Recognised as one of the leading figures in slam poetry in Central Africa, Osée Elektra is the recipient of the Kema Awards 2022, which honors his cultural and social impact. His works are driven by committed writing and a desire to share narratives that resonate with lived realities.
Over the course of his residency Osée resumes the work that was obstructed by threats he faced in Goma. He intends to share experiences through artistic exchanges and performances, to enrich his artistic practice and to create a bridge between the Congolese cultural sector and that of Zanzibar.
We are grateful to our AR-ZAEF partners for hosting Osée and are honoured to welcome him to Zanzibar. We look forward to his creative endeavours during his residency!
Listen to Osée’s music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1tKXN574qpm36ChuQru2Px?si=qYy0y2KLQHCWIkgAJGMlFA
