Seun Kuti, an Afrobeat bandleader and the youngest son of Fela Kuti, is on tour to support his new album, “From Africa With Fury: Rise“, produced by Brian Eno. With its strong horn melodies, grooving rhythms and punchy song titles (“African Soldier”, “Rise”), the album is a mix of classic, energetic Afrobeat rhythms and...
It’s been 20 years since Vincent Ahehehinnou and his bandmates in the Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou could afford to spend their days playing music. Back then, the band from Benin — formed in the late ’60s following the country’s independence from France — was busy spreading the joys of Afrobeat, a blend of soul,...
Biyi Adepegba, the festival’s creator, said performing bands have gotten significantly smaller over the years, because of the high cost of touring — where the festival used to host bands with 15 or 20 members, most bands now rarely exceed 10. However, Adepegba thinks having smaller rosters actually helps bands appeal to a larger...