Kongos: The Alternative Rock Force Blending Accordion and Riff

Kongos is a South African-American alternative rock band formed by four brothers: Johnny, Jesse, Dylan, and Daniel Kongos. Hailing from London but raised in Phoenix, Arizona, the band achieved international fame with their 2014 single "Come with Me Now," which soared to number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart and was certified triple platinum in the United States.

Early career

The brothers, sons of 1970s rock musician John Kongos, began playing music together in their teens, formally forming Kongos in 2003. They initially built a following in South Africa, where they released their self-titled debut album in 2007 on the independent label SABC. This early work established their signature sound, which uniquely incorporates the accordion—played by Dylan—into a rock foundation.

Breakthrough

The band's major breakthrough arrived in 2014 with the re-release of their second album, Lunatic. Originally put out independently in 2011, the album was reissued by Epic Records after the single "Come with Me Now" gained explosive traction on alternative rock radio. Lunatic eventually peaked at number 65 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified gold, propelled by the single's massive crossover success.

Key tracks

Come with Me Now — This triple-platinum anthem became a global sports and media staple, defining the band's breakthrough and topping the alternative rock charts.

I'm Only Joking — A later single from Lunatic that also reached the top 10 on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, proving the band's hit-making consistency.

Take It From Me — The lead single from their 2016 album Egomaniac, this track showcased a heavier rock direction while maintaining their distinct accordion-driven groove.

Hey I Don't Know — This track from their 2019 album 1929 Pt. 1 & 2 demonstrated the band's evolution into a more expansive and anthemic rock sound.

Following the success of Lunatic, Kongos released Egomaniac in 2016, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Alternative Albums chart. They later adopted a more independent approach, forming their own label, Tokoloshe Records, and releasing the two-part album 1929 in 2019 and 2021. Their music continues to blend gritty rock riffs with world music rhythms and the persistent, driving sound of the accordion.

Fans of Kongos often appreciate the genre-blending work of Imagine Dragons for their similar anthemic and percussive rock approach. The rhythmic intensity of Twenty One Pilots also finds common ground with Kongos' dynamic style. Listeners drawn to the unique instrumentation might explore The Heavy for their soul-infused rock energy. The raw, brotherly rock energy of Kings of Leon provides another compelling parallel.

The music of Kongos maintains a strong presence on modern and alternative rock radio stations across the network. Their hits are staples on playlists for alternative rock radio stations and their deeper cuts feature on independent music radio stations focused on genre innovation, ensuring their accordion-infused rock reaches a dedicated audience.

You can hear the powerful, accordion-driven alternative rock of Kongos on various radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their catalog, from the massive hit "Come with Me Now" to their more recent independent releases, all available through our curated online rock radio streams.