ABIODUN AFRO-CROSSOVER (LAGOS)
The German-Nigerian singer and composer, is one of the most interesting, international commuters of a new Urban Roots Movement contributing to the current music culture with diversity and vibrancy. Abiodun is a traveller with a cosmopolitan consciousness and a universal message, that is as timeless as relevant. He manouvers playfully through an individual and contemporary sound universe and his music fuses classical elements of soul, blues, funk and rock with Abiodun’s African roots.
Abiodun was born in London and is the son of a German mother and a Nigerian father. Growing up in Lagos (Nigeria) he was fascinated by music at an early age whereby his influences extended beyond his parent’s vast vinyl collection. He absorbed the rhythmic songs of Fela Kuti, danced the Moonwalk with Michael Jackson and sang along to Bob Marley’s “I shot the Sheriff.” Music became both an omnipresent force in his life and a manifestation of the western and African culture that influenced his aesthetic. In 1986, Abiodun and his family moved to Germany and despite an initial culture shock, he developed and refined his musical abilities within a burgeoning music scene.
Abiodun started his recording career under the moniker “Don Abi” in 1993 when he released his first single “Criminality” with Vibe Tribe Soundsystem. A year later he was invited by pioneering German Hip-Hop producer Future Rock (LSD) to work on American Funk saxophonist Maceo Parker’s single “Keep your Soul together”. In 1995 Abiodun was featured on Germany’s first Reggae Dancehall Sampler “Dancehall Power Vol.1” and has since then been a pioneering and vibrant force on the international music scene with over 25 releases to his credit.
He is a co-founder of the Afro-German musical collective “Brothers Keepers”. Their song "Adriano (die letzte Warnung)" (Adriano the final warning) was released in 2001. It became an anti racism anthem selling well over 220,000 copies and making it to the Top 5 of the German pop charts. The sophomore album “Am I my Brother’s Keeper?” was released on Sony Music in 2005.
As a Solo-Act Abiodun has released under the name of “Don Abi“ two cross-genre albums: “Act of Love” (V2 Records 2003) and “No Philosophy” (Toolhouse Recordings 2007).
In addition to his solo career, Abiodun for many years collaborated with artists like Maceo Parker, UB40, Patrice, Xavier Naidoo, Gregory Isaacs, Keziah Jones and Burnt Friedman. In 2005 Abiodun played a key role on Bantu’s album "Fuji Satisfaction” which, won critical acclaim and the Kora Awards as "Best Group West Africa" and "Best Group Africa".
Abiodun toured and headlined shows in Europe such as Rottweil Jazz Festival, Reggae Summer Jam, Bochum Total, Chiemsee Reggae Summer, Rototom Sunsplash Italy and Wiesen Sunsplash Austria.
Abiodun’s last album "Break Free" (released 11/2018) is a natural progression of his musical artistry over the past two decades. It presents Abiodun as an artist, who is constantly expanding the boundaries of his musical language without denying his identity. It's a retro-modern journey through Abiodun's musical world: an authentic, handmade mix of Afro-pop, soul, funk and rock.
