The legacy of Fela Kuti aka `The Black President’ looms large over London, from Kokoroko to afrobeats – the upstart nephew of the genre gone global that Fela created. To celebrate the late Lagosian’s birthday, his former sideman Bukky Leo will be joined by surviving members of Fela’s old band...
Tag Archives: Fela Kuti
At times, we are the first to lose track of how many exciting music events happen in London each month, so we have decided to offer you some sort of “public musical service”, meant for all the locals and passers-by, with the aim of suggesting where to listen to some...
Newen Afrobeat are from Chile rather than Lagos, but are proof that afrobeat has become a global music to address injustice. Formed in Chile in 2009, Newen translates as ‘strength’ in the indigenous (and marginalised) Mapuche language, and the seven songs that make up the collective’s third album Curiche speak up...
It might only be at its second edition, but Innervisions Festival is already synonymous with quality music. The multi-venue event produced by AGMP will bring to London a 4-day-long full immersion in classy notes and extraordinary musicianship. Examples are acts like Gilberto Gil, Mavis Staple, Robert Glasper, Saul Williams…...
Antibalas bring the energy of afrobeat and jazz, and the fire of funk and dub, modelled from Fela Kuti’s band, Africa 70. The afrobeat orchestra are celebrating their twentieth year as a band on Daptone Records at London’s Jazz Cafe. Although well versed in their original songs, which blend all...
Hard to believe that one of the most sought-after DJs and producers in the global beats scene is going to make his debut behind a London DJ deck only on Friday. Thanks to Bustin’ Loose, Bosq will finally perform his long-awaited first show in the British capital in two days’ time at...
View Panda Palm bio here Panda Palm is a musical collaboration between Luke Martin and Lena Chevrollier, two Manchester-based DJs and producers. The duo is part of the world music DJ collective Me Gusta with whom they’ve been musically exploring the continents to provide an array of inspiring gems...
![Album Review: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Black Times [Strut Records; 2nd March 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/seun-kuti-black-times-335x335.jpg)
Black Times opens with warm congas, followed by afro-typical cyclical riffs on the guitar, layered with repetitive female chorus, the introduction of bass and full drum kit, then a short break before bursting full power back into the groove – this time with an added horn section of trumpet, tenor...
If anyone can claim the title of ‘afrobeat Ambassador’, it would be Seun Kuti. The youngest son of Fela Kuti and hereditary leader of the Egypt 80 is the bridge between his father’s role as afrobeat pioneer and the more contemporary metamorphosis and migrations of the Nigerian style. On Friday, Seun...
Fans of afrobeat must not miss Afrobeat Vibration’s 9th anniversary, which takes place at the Jazz Café on December 15th. Ahead of this celebration, Rhythm Passport caught up with Fela Kuti’s former keyboard player and Afrobeat Vibration’s founder, Dele Sosimi, for a brief chat. Rhythm Passport: When you left Fela...