Osibisa

Osibisa’s inspirational sound could only have developed in the hothouse of London. 50 years on it's time to celebrate this cornerstone of black British pop history.

Osibisa are developing a special show to celebrate their most significant work with special guests including Blo, who supported them on their first tour of Nigeria, alongside others special guests who will join the band.During the late 60s and early 70s Osibisa were unique, taking an African message to the mainstream rock crowd.In the 1970s the importance of Osibisa became international, they were the talismans for African musicians looking to use their own African culture and harness the sensibility and commercial worlds of European markets.

This was because their West African polyrhythms and melodies were not sacrificed to the constraints of a rock aesthetic.

African clothes were proudly worn and not assimilated.

The musicians were muti-instumentalists able to perform complex traditional percussion work-outs as well as deftly play electric instruments.Their live shows crossed over, bringing African culture to a white crowd, who were the regulars at rock venues like The Marquee where Osibisa often played.

These bold moves brought Osibisa a growing reputation at home and their impact back in Africa was profound.