‘Afrosonics brings biverse musical influences in one piece’

Founder of popular Afrosonics, an Afro-Indie band, Dayo Ayodele, was spotted at various functions in the country, including the grand celebration of the 50th birthday of Joke Bakare, wife of business mogul, Muyiwa Bakare, in Lagos. Despite a successful music career outside Nigeria, Ayodele still keeps touch with developments in the music and movies scenes.
 
As he noted recently, “Nigerian music and movies are grabbing attention on the global stage and fast taking their place there. Many Nigerian artistes were doing things out there that are interesting producers and promoters globally. Naija hiphop, called Afrobeat, is being played in clubs and radio stations all over and the iconic status of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, has inspired many productions, including the popular Broadway production, Fela! The legend’s music is also being studied and performed by many bands internationally. It’s a big deal. Felabration is not only being celebrated in Nigeria, but globally.”

Since visiting, he has met with several promoters, artistes and producers to check the scene out and how best to plug in with his music. It is worthy to note that this Afrobeat master chose a career path in music, as opposed to medicine, which his parents wanted for him as a child. He went to America to study film, taking classes at Columbia College, Hollywood.

He founded Global Lounge in 2006, when he brought the various ethnic groups together. At first, Ayodele concentrated on his band, United Roots, an Afrobeat/reggae outfit, formed in 2006 and broke up in 2009. Thereafter, Ayodele started devoting more energy to his work with Global Lounge. Afrosonics was formed in 2011.

On what inspired Afrosonics, “As a child way back here at home in Nigeria, I saw a Coca-Cola commercial that played a lot on TV that spoke about teaching the world how to sing in perfect harmony.”

What impressed him most, he said, was the image of people of different races and cultures holding hands, suggesting that it’s a big world and we all have to live in peace and unity. Ayodele focused on that idea to start Global Lounge, a nonprofit that seeks to foster cultural awareness and help refugees and immigrants acclimatise to life in the U.S. Afrosonics, he said, combines African music with funk and jazz.

Afrosonics according to him is a medium to bring people with diverse musical influences together in the creation of an original music style, adding, “Audiences experience new vibes through a fusion of guitars, drums, percussion, keyboards, electronic soundscapes, vocals, dance and chants.”

Although most of the rhythms are of African and American origin, it’s tough to put a label on their sound. It’s been called Electro Funk, Afro Funk, Eclecto Funk or Afro Punk. In addition to their own music, he said the group draws influences from other musical genres and locales, including South America, the Caribbean, funk, southern American jazz, blues, rock and others that capture the true essence of the African, American or Universal spirit. Dayo & Afrosonics has shared stages with many artistes likes Angelique Kidjo, TV on the Radio, The Suffers, Budos Band and others.