Twice Grammy Award-winning Nigerian percussionist Lekan Babalola is well known for his innovative musical style, using his native Yoruba tongue infused with traditional music, Afrobeat and funky dance overtones. The Sacred Funk Project brings you sacred music with funky dance beats!
Awarded his first Grammy in 2006 for performances on the late Ali Farka Toure’s album ‘In the Heart of the Moon’, he was awarded a second at the 49th Grammy awards in 2009 for his work as Associate Producer on the American jazz diva Cassandra Wilson’s album ‘Loverly’. World press has given him rave reviews for his percussive wizardry and infectious grooves.
Lekan received a cultural and political apprenticeship from the late, great Fela Kuti and has since performed with the likes of Ernest Ranglin, Branford Marsalis, PRINCE, African Jazz All Stars, Roy Ayers, The Kate Luxmoore Group, David Byrne, Joshua Redman, Charles Lloyd, Damon Albarn, Tony Allen, The KLLB Band, Axelle Red, Pinse Saul, Queen Salawa Abeni, Pharoah Sanders and Jean Toussaint and is currently touring the world with Atomic Bomb Band.
“For me, music is about crossing boundaries and finding commonality globally. I love combining ancient and contemporary and my work with the Sacred Funk project has given me another opportunity to take traditional vibes and give them a contemporary twist,” says Babalola. “Yoruba culture weaves its way through our modern lives through music and rhythm, and this gives me the chance to tell its story, making it relevant to everyone today.”
