Congo Boy becomes a Bangui man and hits the jackpot

Daniel Nelson

“Music is for thugs. You have to study medicine. You need to graduate, son.” But refugee Robert has other ideas, and Congo Boy tells the story of his bid to become a famous rapper.

His father’s advice to study comes from behind bars in Bangui, because both his parents are in jail, apparently for immigration reasons. So Robert has to look after himself and his four siblings, pay for their clothes and food, hustle to earn money, go to school and try to break into a music scene crowded with wannabes equally desperate to make their way in the world through music.

Struggle is constant, competition is ruthless, political violence is a persistent and potentially deadly threat, opportunities are few.

One of the many barriers he faces is that the family fled from D R Congo and are refugees in the Central African Republic. They are advised to keep their Congo origins secret.

The odds are stacked against him. But he has talent and energy, and is prepared to try anything, whether selling bottles of water or breaking stones. He doesn’t have time to feel sorry for himself, and though he is harshly judgemental of his father (a nurse who calls himself a doctor) he is committed to his brothers and sisters. There are warm scenes of family intimacy, playing together or him telling his sister how to deal with her period.

Even the seethe sweaty, noisy nightclub scenes that he sees as offering a way ahead are difficult to negotiate. But he has a friend to help him and the lure of a big-prize UN Children’s Fund rap competition to spur him on, even if it means open rebellion against his father and a decision to go public about his foreign status.

It makes a stirring story, told with verve and drive. 

Not sure about director Rafiki Fariala’s message though. “Follow your dream” is a rousing cry, but becoming a star is a long shot: becoming a doctor might be a better bet.