Fela Kuti's Afrobeat legacy made such an enormous impression on the international Nigerian music lovers' scene that much subsequent music of this most versatile of nations has been overshadow - or just plain overlooked - outside the Nigerian home market and the UK Nigerian diaspora. Afrobeat was amazing, but things have moved on apace since the glory days of the 70s.

This unique bill showcases the diverse talent of London's Nigerian community. Although it's common knowledge that Nigeria's London diaspora is one of the largest in the world, it still may come as a surprise that London can field fuji, juju, afrobeat and Naija pop, hip hop, dancehall and r & B artists and bands as strong as any line-up that you might witness in Lagos itself!

Here's the breakdown:

KEFEE- PAN-AFRICAN SUPERSTAR -DIRECT FROM LAGOS-ONLY UK SHOW Although Nigerian through and through, the diversity of Kefee's style encompasses a pan-African palette -like Angelique Kidjo, or Miriam Makeba. The album ‘Branama' won several awards in Nigeria and elsewhere, and her sophomore album ‘Branama 2' featured numerous top Nigerian acts- Paul Dairo, Sunny Neiji, Pastor Goody Goody and 2Shots to name a few - and won the coveted Best African Traditional Artiste award at the prestigious Kora Awards 2005 in South Africa

DEOBA AUTHENTIC BAND -HIGHLIFE, NAIJA POP AND MORE - as well as being a mainstay of popular radio station Palmwine.Com, DJ DEOBA runs this outstanding Highlife and Naija-beat band. Expect everything from classics to new self-composed material.

BIZARRE- HIP HOP, NAIJA-GRIME - yup, you heard right! London-based BIZARRE grew up listening to Sway, Kano and Dizzee Rascal and has now himself become part of that unique East London vibe- but with a pronounced Nigerian flavour to the proceedings! Already with a big UK_Naija following, so be prepared!

FUNMI G -AFRO-HOUSE, NAIJA-SOUL, R& B- a longtime mainstay of the London Nigerian party and session- recording scene, the lovely Ms G has been compared to everyone from Jocelyn Brown to Gwen McCrae: that's shorthand for saying that she has one hell of a voice!

HANDSOME MURPHY ALABI FUJI BAND AND - AND THE NDA DANCERS the music is the contemporary heartbeat of Lagos, as important to the modern Nigerian music scene as Fela's Afrobeat was thirty years ago. Tough and uncompromising in its political and social commentaries, and thrilling in its layered talking-drum arrangements and wailing vocals, we are proud to present London's leading exponents.

DANCE ON THE NIGHT BY NDA DANCERS.
The NDAD (Nessa Dance Academy Dancers) are not only professional dancers but beautiful and intelligent dancers. They specialize in different styles of dance from Afro beat to dancehall to street to Salsa to juju just to mention a few. Trust them to always keep the audience entertained and inspired...

PLUS DJ JOHN ARMSTRONG ( GUANABARA, KILOMBO, BBC RADIO 2, BASS CLEF
CLUB) playing an upfront selection of brand-new Naija tunes, urban Afro beats, and the occasional highlife, juju and afrobeat classic.

AND A COUPLE OF VERY SPECIAL AND EXCLUSIVE GUESTS FROM LAGOS (TO BE
CONFIRMED)


LIVE: KEFEE + DEBOA AUTHENTIC + BIZARRE + FUNMI G
DJ: JOHN ARMSTRONG
£12 adv, £15 otd
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