Source of Denial

Traveling to (or through) Europe is often an exercise in ritual humiliation for Africans. The majority of African countries are at the bottom of the global passport rankings, meaning people need to obtain a visa to travel to most countries. The process often feels like an “endless, bureaucratic hell-hole,” requiring dozens of documents, bank statements, work contracts, etc etc. “The arrogance of it is unbearable” writes Nihiloxica, the Ugandan-British ensemble who were among the first to put Nyege Nyege Tapes on the map with their mix of traditional Bugandan percussion, drums, and synths. Their second album Source of Denial is darker and more charged than the first, capturing the dystopian realities of increasingly hostile immigration policies, especially in post-Brexit UK. Opener ““Kudistro” pulsates with anxiety and exasperation, while “Outolobazzi” quivers with uncertainty. There are moments of calm, such as on “Postoloya” and “Trip Chug,” but the group still sounds focused and resolute. Source of Denial is a powerful political statement against the Western world’s discriminatory immigration practices.