Utende (Mayotte) by L-Had, LOYA, AfroGlitch, Kayamba Records , LZRecords

Utende is a poetic oratory art from Mayotte that is on the brink of extinction. The goal of this EP is to revitalize it by blending it with electronic music inspired by Mayotte's traditional music. Since the arrival of the first inhabitant, Mayotte has undergone various social and cultural changes. Our intention is to trace these changes but also to envision a distant future based on the myths and tales of the island. We explore themes of collapse and resilience, which are pressing issues we face today.

The evolution of values that govern Mahoran society, especially with the introduction of currency, has disrupted a balance in the villages. The texts, written by L-Had in French and Shimaore, draw inspiration from his knowledge, passed down by the elders of his village.

The music is composed from sounds recorded on the island during Loya's stays in Mayotte. The recorded sounds are transformed into instruments and rhythms that echo Mahoran culture. Throughout the EP, the recited text and music evolve with the changing Mahoran society and move towards a collapse, only to be reborn in the last minute.

Project Blakaz, is a collaborative project with artists from the Indian Ocean. The first part takes place in Mauritius, then Mayotte, Komor, Madagascar ...