AMAYO\'s FU-ARKIST-RA
First Kung Fu Lessons of Life
An explosive blend of African spiritual rhythms, traditional Chinese lion rhythms, highlife, funk, and jazz, infused with passionate activism.
AMAYO'S FU-ARKIST-RA is a full afrobeat ensemble based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, that ranges from 7 to 12 members including several members of the Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. In addition to composing and arranging the songs, Amayo sings and plays keyboards for the band, intermixed with charged performances of traditional African lyrics and movement. Extended family members include Jojo Kuo & Ola Jagun (former members of Fela Kuti's Egypt '80); Kunle Ade (son of juju legend King Suny Ade); and Dick Griffin, formally with Sun Ra.
This exciting perpetual union of experiences, tradition and martial arts, not only represents a diverse spectrum of backgrounds and high grounds, but also carries the fused DNA of Kung Fu masters and philosophers of the Orient, Freedom Fighters, the Royal warriors of Benin/Ife Kingdoms and Fela Kuti. The musical result is a lethal weapon-web called FU-Afrobeat.
ABOUT AMAYO
British-born of Nigerian parents, Amayo's spirit was first awakened at Fela Kuti's club, the Shrine, in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Growing up in Lagos, his primary passions were dancing and practicing Kung Fu to the rhythms of afrobeat, funk and traditional juju drums. It was then that the seed of Afrobeat was first implanted within him. He moved to the US with a football scholarship to Howard University, and graduated with honors, earning his BFA in Commercial Arts and Architecture.
Committed to his passions for both Kung Fu and dancing, he became a Sifu (Kung Fu master) shortly after college. He continues to teach Kung Fu and traditional Chinese Lion Dance today. As lead singer, percussionist and composer for Antibalas, Amayo has ignited festival crowds and packed audiences into a frenzy across the US, Western and Eastern Europe, and Japan. Continuing in the tradition of Fela, Amayo now presents the world with his unique form of music, dance, and
martial arts. Make way for the Fu-Arkist-Ra.
FU-AFROBEAT MUSIC IS HERE TO RECHARGE YOUR FIGHTING SPIRIT!
World: Highlife