Establishing the mood with a dimensional electric guitar soundscape and astral harmonies, Molombo opens StarStruck with a captivating flow and thought-provoking, conscious prose. Needless to say, we are completely in awe.
The opus expands with a hook in English which is affirmative, and designed to continue to manifest abundance, whilst feeling self-realized and empowering. We are obsessed with the psychedelic adjacency, spiritual synths, and vocals that immediately transport us to a dreamy soundscape.
This captivating introduction sets the stage for a rich musical journey, as an international ensemble featuring a Harlem guitarist, a Nigerian pianist and choir, and a Cameroonian vocal chanter transitions into a chilled Afropop groove.
Molombo is a multi-disciplinary Congolese-American artist who debuted in 2020, offering a melodic social commentary freestyle inspired by Bob Dylan’s Only a Pawn in Their Game. His lyrical exploration addresses contemporary struggles faced by marginalized communities, seamlessly blending vibrant African indie rock and pop elements. The track draws influence from Amadou & Mariam’s “Dougou Badia,” further enriching its cultural and musical tapestry.
StarStruck showcases Molombo’s collaborative spirit and his deep connection to his heritage. The Harlem-based guitarist Mrdees, Nigerian pianist Tijesunimi Adebiyi, Cameroonian vocal chanter Rinus N, and the Nigerian church choir led by Olawepo Tayo all contribute to the song’s dynamic sound. The beat, crafted by Molombo’s longtime friend HYDoThat, and the expert mixing and mastering by Big Rula, ensure a polished and immersive listening experience. Notably, the female vocals performed by Molombo’s wife, Emoura, add a touching and personal layer to the track’s conclusion.
It is no surprise that Molombo has been gaining popularity on social media through his engaging content on African mythology and history, and his future project—a Pan-African role-playing game—has generated significant buzz among his followers. StarStruck is a testament to Molombo’s artistic evolution and his commitment to creating music that is both meaningful and sonically hypnotic.
We have added StarStruck to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our brand new TRIPPY and TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the star’s growing discography, and anticipate future releases from the visionary artist!