Bio
Joel Kapat is the pseudonym of Patrick Kagarama - a Congolese American recording artist, designer, and songwriter, who holds a degree in Human Service and Addiction counselling. Joel and his family migrated to the U.S. in 2000, seeking asylum due to the civil upheaval in his native country, The Democratic Republic of Congo. Together, they based themselves in St. Louis, Missouri, and since then St. Louis is the place Joel Kapat calls home. Joel found his solace in Afropop music when as a kid his mother used to sing to him in her native language. The future star was unable to decipher the symphonies as a child. However, they were melodious enough to spark an inspiration in young Joel to create his own music.
Afropop music, much like African traditional music, is vast and varied. At its fundamental core, it is a sound, music, movement, and a state of mind. It is the rapturous awakening of a continent from a colonial misery and the hardcore realization that the nightmare is not over yet. It is a beautiful meld of anguish and happiness stitched together with classical drums, basic guitar, and everyday amplifiers. If that does not satiate the vibes of an Afropop fan, Joel escalates the rhythm quotient by blending the classical Afropop with American Urban music, especially Hip-hop. All of it results in an explosive and colorful musical mix that is melodic, as well as, beat-pumping edgy.
Anyone remotely associated with Afropop would testify that it is the truest avatar of fusion music, as it incorporates elements of essentially any available source material on the planet earth. The fantastic news for the fans out there is that the contemporary blend of classical Afropop and urban hip-hop is what defines Joel Kapat’s music. In his latest album Trent Ans, Joel Kapat sings, raps, laughs and offers a mirage of heart-warming rhythms to the lyrics that will leave a fan grooving and nod with approval at every turn of a subsequent track.
From the tropical upbeat rhythm of Mailo, featuring Ruff Kid, to the urban edge of the anthem Bourgeois Ft. Cedior, and the reggae-styled melodics of Dreamer, onto the sentient and thought-provoking lyrics of Religion, featuring CeDior, followed by the hand-clapping Afro-rhythms and layered vocals of Na Leli, Joel Kapat delivers a bunch of smashing uplifting crossover tracks that will leave its listeners wanting more!
Joel Kapat is a wordsmith and a fluent bilingual, which renders his music an expanded dimension and a slick edge. The production itself contains pearls of wisdom that succeed in beautifully relaying the sounds that are emitting out of Africa and America today. Today, Joel Kapat transcends the long-standing coast to coast music debate by offering the niche of continent-to-continent cultural shuffle! The gentleman just released his latest album on September 30th, 2017 named TRINITI-2017, and is available on all digital platform and the official website.
You can pay your homage to the artist on the following pages;
Social Media:
Facebook: @Booci Music
Twitter: @Kapat_Official
IG: @boocibrand
Website: www.boocibrand.com
YouTube: Subscribe to Booci Music
