Neon Colonialismo is the new album - the first under his name since 2014 - by musical agitator Batida, aka Pedro Coquenão, one of the main catalysts of the Afro electronic scene. Carried by a subtle and refined electronic production, the eleven tracks (equally divided between songs and instrumentals), travel through the Portuguese-speaking world, from Portugal to Angola through Cape Verde and Brazil. They feature the presence of many distinguished guests: Mayra Andrade, Branko, DJ Satelite, Poté, Botto Trindade, Bonga, Ikonoklasta, Octa Push, Lia de Itamaracá, DJ Dolores, João Morgado, Pedro da Linha & Nástio Mosquito.
Batida’s modus operandi has always been to meet and collaborate. This album features his old-time friend Ikonoklasta, as well as an impressive list of guests including past, current and future legends from Angola, Portugal, Brasil, Cabo Verde and the UK. By order of appearance: DJ Satelite, Bonga, Mayra Andrade, Poté, Nástio Mosquito, DJ Dolores, Octa Push, Lia de Itamaracá, Mário Lúcio, Botto Trindade, Pedro da Linha, João Morgado and Branko. Neon Colonialismo thus connects both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and this is reflected in the way the album was made: even though Lisbon is Batida’s base, the ten tracks were created during travels between Luanda, Évora, Berlin, Recife, London and back to Lisbon. Carried by subtle, refined production, they use real instrumentation and electronics, alternate between vocal and instrumental songs, and touch upon several genres along the way, from afro dancefloor music to kazucuta to semba house and other styles yet to be defined. Batida will be performing all around Europe and beyond. If you don’t catch one of his sets, tune in to WorldwideFM to listen to his monthly show, entitled… Neon Colonialismo!