Funky journey deep through West African Yoruba culture
Things get warm and groovy this summer when Nigerian musician Adédèjì visits Sfinks Mixed. The brilliant musician takes you to Lagos, a bustling metropolis where swinging West African traditions mix with international hybrids of soul, jazz and funk. From this wealth of rhythms, Adédèjì creates an explosive style of vintage afrobeat and eclectic Yoruba sounds, interspersed with lyrics of childhood stories as well as politically engaged human rights.
A masterful guitar playing with a unique polyrhythmic technique, accompanies a wonderful voice with some James Brown sounds and influences from Stevie Wonder, Prince, Prince Sunny Ade and Fela Kuti. Expect energetic and soulful music of the highest quality!
Adédèjì Adetayo started singing in a Yoruba Church Choir at the age of 6 and by the age of 10, the talented singer became the leader of the choir. From 13 years old, Adedeji was already a highly sought studio singer and recorded and performed with local Nigerian stars like Imoleayo, Pasunma, Obesere, Gbenga Adewusi, Sound Sultan, Sammy Okposo. Later on he graduated from London College of Music with a licentiate in guitar performance and further specialised at The Prins Claus Music Conservatory in The Netherlands with a bachelor in Jazz Music. Since then the gifted musician has recorded and shared stages with Tony Allen, Lionel Loueke, Gene Jackson, Lagbaja, Ayo Bankole, Paco Sery, Keziah Jones, Fred Wesley and Fra Fra Sound and he opened concerts for Manu Dibango and Kenny Garret.
Adedeji ’s first album, “Ajo”, featuring Lionel Loueke, gifted him with ‘The North Netherlands Young Talent Award’ in 2012. His second album “Afreekanism” feat Orlando Julius won him the ‘LBM Awards – Best Afro Fusion Artist’ in Nigeria in 2017. The third album ‘Yoruba Odyssey’, is a project that goes back to the very core of Adédèjì’s roots.
