Abiodun Odukoya (born 23 December 1972), better known as Abiodun, is a Nigerian-German singer, songwriter, producer and music arranger. Abiodun's name is of Yoruba origin and means "he who is born on a day of festivity". He is better known as the co founder of the Afro German music collective

Brothers Keepers Brothers Keepers is a German-based transnational anti-racism project, bringing together hip hop, reggae and soul musicians, headed primarily by Afro-Germans. Their debut single, "Adriano-Letzte Warnung", was written in response to the murder o ...

and as one of the pioneers of the German reggae, afro and soul music scene.

Early years

Abiodun was born in London. He is the son of a German mother and a Nigerian father. Abiodun grew up in

Lagos Lagos ( ; ), or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan city in southwestern Nigeria. With an upper population estimated above 21 million dwellers, it is the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and on ...

Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...

where he was exposed to music through his parents vast and eclectic collection which ranged from reggae to juju, afrobeat, pop, funk and hiphop. After the death of his father in 1986 his family relocated to

Cologne Cologne ( ; ; ) is the largest city of the States of Germany, German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the List of cities in Germany by population, fourth-most populous city of Germany with nearly 1.1 million inhabitants in the city pr ...

, Germany. Abiodun is the younger brother of musician and activist Ade Bantu.

Career (1993 to present)

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 Maceo Parker (; born February 14, 1943) is an American funk and soul jazz saxophonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s, Parliament-Funkadelic in the 1970s and Prince in the 2000s. Parker was a prominent soloist on many of ...

's single "Keep your Soul together". In 1995 Abiodun was featured on Germany's first Reggae Dancehall Sampler "Dancehall Power Vol.1" this led to tours with his High Voltage Band and extensive collaborations with the Hamburger Dub Reggae collective "Di Iries". In 1998 he founded the musical project

BANTU Bantu may refer to: *Bantu languages, constitute the largest sub-branch of the Niger–Congo languages *Bantu peoples, over 400 peoples of Africa speaking a Bantu language * Bantu knots, a type of African hairstyle *Black Association for National ...

with his brother Ade Bantu,

Patrice Patrice is a given name meaning ''noble'' or '' patrician'', related to the names Patrick and Patricia. In English, Patrice is often a feminine first name. In French, it is used as a masculine first name. Popularity In the United States, the popul ...

and Amaechi this gave him the opportunity to rekindle the musical connection with his African heritage. Bantu's debut album "Fufu" was released in 2000 and it became an instant success in Nigeria with two hit radio singles "Nzogbu" & "Fire Inna Dancehall". Abiodun collaborated with

Patrice Bart-Williams Patrice Babatunde Bart-Williams (born 9 July 1979), better known as Patrice, is a German reggae singer, songwriter and record producer. Born in Germany to a Sierra Leonean father and a German mother, Patrice grew up listening to Fela Kuti, Bob Ma ...

on his debut Album "Ancient Spirit" writing and producing the Song "Life Hard". In 2001 he co founded the Afro-German musical collective

. Their song "Adriano (die letzte Warnung)" (Adriano the final warning) was released and it became an anti racism anthem selling well over 220,000 copies and making it to the Top 5 of the German pop charts. In 2003 he was signed to

V2 Records V2 Records (or V2 Music and V2 Benelux; V2 being an abbreviation for Virgin 2) is a record label that was purchased by Universal Music Group in 2007, sold to PIAS in 2013 and partially acquired by Universal in 2022 (as part of larger PIAS 49% ...

where he released "Act of Love" a mini LP, which was well received by music critics and fans around Europe. He was highly active on the live Circuit with his Band Okada Supersound touring and headlining show such as Rottweil Jazz Festival, Reggae Summer Jam,

Bochum Total Bochum Total is an annual music festival in Bochum, Germany. Bochum Total usually begins on the first Thursday of the summer break; in 2011, however, it took place from July 21 to July 24. It is a so-called '' (English: for free and outside) whi ...

, Chiemsee Reggae Summer,

Rototom Sunsplash Rototom Sunsplash is a large European reggae festival founded in 1994 in Gaio di Spilimbergo (Pordenone, Italy), and since 2010 held in Benicàssim, a few miles north of Valencia, Spain. It attracts thousands of fans from all over the world, th ...

Italy, Wiesen Sunsplash Austria and

Womex WOMEX (short for Worldwide Music Expo) is an international world music support and development project based in Berlin Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany ...

2004. He also toured with and supported Brothers Keepers, Bantu,

Angelique Kidjo Angelique or Angélique may refer to: * Angélique (given name), a French feminine name Arts and entertainment Music * Angélique (instrument), a string instrument of the lute family * ''Angélique'', a 1927 opéra bouffe by Jacques Ibert * A ...

Keziah Jones Keziah Jones (born Olufemi Sanyaolu on 10 January 1968) is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and guitarist. He describes his musical style as "Blufunk", which is a fusion between raw blues elements and hard, edgy funk rhythms. Also his Nigerian roo ...

and many others. In 2003 Abiodun was featured on British reggae band

UB40 UB40 are an English reggae band, formed in December 1978 in Birmingham, England. The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart and has also achieved considerable international success. They have been nominated for the Grammy ...

's single "Rudie (Hold It Down)" alongside

Adé Bantu Adegoke Odukoya, better known as Adé Bantu (born 14 July 1971 in Wembley, London), is a Nigerian-German musician, producer and social activist who is the front man of the 13 piece band BANTU and the creator of the monthly concert series and mu ...

and German reggae singer

Gentleman ''Gentleman'' (Old French: ''gentilz hom'', gentle + man; abbreviated ''gent.'') is a term for a chivalrous, courteous, or honorable man. Originally, ''gentleman'' was the lowest rank of the landed gentry of England, ranking below an esquire ...

. The song gave him the opportunity to work with the legendary Jamaican singer

Gregory Isaacs Gregory Anthony Isaacs OD (15 July 1951 – 25 October 2010)Thompson, p. 127. was a Jamaican reggae musician. Milo Miles, writing in ''The New York Times'', described Isaacs as "the most exquisite vocalist in reggae".Miles, Milo (1992),RECORDI ...

on "Reason for Love" a tune produced by Neil Perch of Zion Train. The song was based on the Rudie Riddim. In 2005 he was featured on Brothers Keepers second album "Am I My Brothers Keeper" and Bantu's "Fuji Satisfaction", an album that won critical acclaim and the

Kora Awards The KORA All Africa Music Awards are music awards given annually for musical achievement in sub-Saharan Africa. The awards were founded in 1994 by Benin born businessman, Ernest Adjovi, after a discussion in Namibia with the country's President H ...

as "Best Group West Africa" and "Best Group Africa" in 2005. Abiodun finally released his Debut Album "No Philosophy " in 2007 on the independent Label "Toolhouse Recordings". Abiodun has been featured on Albums and Projects with acclaimed electronic producers such as

Burnt Friedman Bernd Friedmann (also Burnt Friedman) (born 1965 in Coburg, Germany) is a German musician and producer who works under a variety of project names in the fields of electronic music, dub and jazz. Friedmann was raised in Kassel, where he studied ...

, Salz, Razoof and Solar Moon. In 2012 he dropped the artist name Don Abi opting to use his birth name Abiodun. Abiodun is highly active with his current Band on the live circuit in Germany and in Africa. In April 2018 he released the single "Living for the Positive" (including a video clip) by Ajazco Records. It's an up-tempo song, reminiscent of the legendary soul sound of

Stax Stax can refer to: * StAX, (Computer Programming) Streaming API for reading and writing XML in Java * Stax Ltd, a Japanese brand of electrostatic headphones * Stax Records Stax Records is an American record company, originally based in Memphis, ...

and

Motown Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...

, incorporating timeless, punchy gospel and rock influences. In September 2018 his single and videoclip "Alarm don blow" was released by Ajazco Records. Alarm don blow is a catchy

afrobeat Afrobeat (also known as Afrofunk) is a West African music genre, fusing influences from Nigerian (such as Yoruba) and Ghanaian (such as highlife) music, with American funk, jazz, and soul influences. With a focus on chanted vocals, complex i ...

rock song with a retro-modern like lilt to it. Its undulating guitar riffs provides its rocky edge, which recalls a

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. Inducted ...

Carlos Santana Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán (; born July 20, 1947) is an American guitarist, best known as a founding member of the Rock music, rock band Santana (band), Santana. Born and raised in Mexico where he developed his musical background, he r ...

jam session. Without being preachy, Abiodun's song has a moral message that places it within an

activist Activism consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived common good. Forms of activism range from mandate build ...

afrobeat tradition. It's a call to individuals to do what is right or morally sane, for the society; or to perform their duties as responsible citizens within sociopolitical institutions. The video was shot in

(

) and in

(

Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...

) by videographer Mirko Polo. In October 2018 Abiodun's album "Break Free" was released by Ajazco Records. It's an authentic, handmade mix of global

pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop! (British group), a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Album ...

sounds. It fuses different

musical genres This is a list of music genres and styles. Music can be described in terms of many genres and styles. Classifications are often arbitrary, and may be disputed and closely related forms often overlap. Larger genres and styles comprise more specifi ...

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African-Americans in the ...

, pop and

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

. "Break Free" is made up of eleven contrasting songs created by an uncompromising artist. They are soulful and energetic but, at the same time, contemplative, fragile and sensitive. Musicians that was involved in the making of the album: Gert Kapo (keys, musical director, composer, co-producer, arranger), Vincent 'Themba' Goritzki (guitars), Roman Fuchß (bass), Giuseppe Coppola (drums), (percussion), Mirta Junco Wambrug (background vocals), Martha Stencel (background vocals), Melande Nkounkolo (background vocals).

Ajazco Records (2011 – present )

Abiodun is the founder and CEO of Ajazco Records, a label and platform aiming to support projects and up and coming musicians to develop their own brand and profile and promote their music to a wider audience. Ajazco Records has several singles to its portfolio and has released the first Indigenous Yoruba Rap Split-Album with Samnem and DQ, which was produced by Abiodun.

Workshops and NGO's (2011–present )

Abiodun has worked as a music instructor, coach and producer for Kabawil. He is in charge of conceptualisation and co-ordination of their Music Theater productions. He is also involved as a music instructor and coach for the cross cultural performing arts workshop Framewalk. A module developed to link performing arts students from around the world. He has worked with students from Israel, Ghana, Germany, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and South Africa.

Discography

Abiodun *10/2018 Break Free (Album - Ajazco Records) *09/2018 Alarm don blow (Single - Ajazco Records) *04/2018 Living for the Positive (Single - Ajazco Records) DonAbi *1993 Vibe Tribe Soundsystem – Criminality (Vibetribe) *1994 Keep your Soul together – Maceo Parker (Minor Music) *1994 Liberation Thru Music & Lyrics – Weep Not Child (Groove Attack) *1995 Di Iries (Buback Records) *1995 Dancehall Power Vol.1 (SPV) *2000 Ancient Spirit – Patrice (Yo Mama) *2001 Salz- Desire (Salz ) *2001 Girl you look so good (96 degrees) *2002 Beatboxing Volume.1 (Rough Trade ) *2003 Can't cool – Burnt Friedman & The Nu Dub Players (Non Place ) *2003 Act of Love (V2 Records) *2007 No Philosophy (Toolhouse Recordings) *2010 Celebration (Ajazco Records ) *2011 Someone Help me out – WNT (Ajazco Records) *2011 Don't get me wrong –WNT (Ajazco Records ) *2012 Disco Ballerina (Funky Mamas And Papas Recordings ) with Razoof *2004 Soul Aquarium ( Nesta Recordings) *2009 High Tide Low Tide (CPK) *2014 Jahliya Sound (Poets Club Records) with BANTU *2000 Fufu (Kennis Music) *2004 Bantu (Nitty Gritty Music/Rough Trade) *2005 Fuji Satisfaction (Piranha Records) with Brothers Keepers *2001 Adriano (Wea Rec ) *2001 Lightkultur (WEA Rec) *2005 Bereit (Sony) *2005 Will we ever Know ( Sony) *2005 Am I My Brothers Keeper?(Sony) Prizes and Awards *KORA All African Award (2005) "Best Group Africa" & "Best Group West Africa"- with BANTU * Einslive Radio Award (2001) "Adriano" – Brothers Keepers

References

External links

Abiodun Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Abiodun Musicians from London Nigerian musicians Nigerian people of German descent English people of Nigerian descent English people of German descent Yoruba musicians 1972 births German reggae musicians Living people 21st-century Nigerian male singers British emigrants to Nigeria