Bio : Amayo
Amayo means: “If you don’t go, you never know!”
Amayo, the former frontman of Antibalas for 23 years, is credited with bringing Afrobeat to a global audience and leading it to become a genre of itself. His music has been featured in Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, the LA Times, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR and he has appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show to name a few. As a member of Antibalas and as a solo performer, Amayo has performed across the globe, on the world’s finest stages and at the finest festivals. His final project with Antibalas - Fu Chronicles - earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2020. Amayo’s debut album as a solo artist - Lion Awakes - will be released in winter of 2025.
Raised in Nigeria, Amayo came to America to attend Howard University on a football scholarship at age 17 and majored in medical illustration. He eventually moved to Brooklyn, where he joined Antibalas, part of a fertile and influential creative community of musicians and friends in Williamsburg that would also form The Dap-Kings and TV On The Radio. Amayo recorded 9 full length albums with Antibalas & performed 2000+ shows across five continents including four times at Carnegie Hall. He also directed the Antibalas music video for “Fight Am Finish” on location in Nigeria & NYC, about an African American returning home via the slave route. 2020’s Fu Chronicles was conceptualized and composed by Amayo; he also hand-illustrated the cover artwork.
Amayo’s unique blend of styles creates a magical landscape of Chinese & African rhythms. Amayo sings traditional Yoruba & Edo lyrics and plays piano, electric keyboard, organ, and the Gbedu Spirit Drum. His band features chekere, guitar, bass, flute, violin, drums, percussion and horns. Amayo’s songs guide people through Kung Fu movements and stories of the Nigerian Edo & Ife Kingdoms.
As an anointed Orisha “Awo,” Amayo sings traditional Nigerian spirituals and stories that have been passed down in a sacred lineage. Amayo has been a senior master (Sifu) of the Jow Ga Kung Fu School of martial arts since 1982 and performs traditional Chinese Lion Dance as a salutation ritual to begin his stage performances to bring good fortune to the audience.
With a move across the country and the birth of his second child during the pandemic, Amayo decided to branch out on his solo career, one dedicated to his rich Nigerian heritage and Chinese martial arts teachings. His new album - Lion Awakes - explores these themes through six new recordings, each broken down into movements. With the fierce energy of afrobeat at the forefront, the new songs pulse with life and smash together the rich myths of his ancestry with reality.
Amayo’s band carries the spirit of Kung Fu masters and philosophers of Asia, freedom fighters, the royal warriors of Edo & Ife Kingdoms, and Fela Kuti.
Condensed bio:
Amayo means: “If you don’t go, you never know!” He is a multi-talented force to be reckoned with, a GRAMMY-nominated musician credited for bringing Afrobeat to a global audience, leading it to become a genre of itself. As the former lead singer and Spirit of Antibalas, he has solidified his place among the greats, captivating audiences with his infectious rhythms and soulful melodies. But his talents don't end there. Beyond his musical prowess, Amayo is also a skilled Kung Fu Sifu, bringing a unique physicality and discipline to his art. As an anointed Nigerian Awo, he possesses deep spiritual wisdom and connects with ancient traditions, infusing his music with profound symbolism and transcendent messages. With a remarkable career spanning genres and disciplines, Amayo continues to inspire audiences worldwide with his mesmerizing stage presence, unmatched talent and boundless creative spirit, combining Kung Fu and Afrobeat. Amayo’s artistry knows no bounds, and his captivating sound continues to push boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene. Amayo will release his debut album as a solo artist - Lion Awakes - in winter of 2025.
"Antibalas is probably your favorite band’s favorite band. The 12-piece ensemble has been credited with introducing Afrobeat to a global audience.” - Soundcheck, WNYC
“Top 12 Musicians With World-Changing Positions.” - The Economist
“[Duke] Ellington uses his remarkable abilities to dispel any lazy presumptions about genre and race. [Duke] Amayo carries on that mission.” - The Village Voice
"A raucous, joyous celebration of Afrobeat." - Rolling Stone Magazine
“Lead Singer Amayo channels Fela Kuti.” - PRI’s the World
“[Antibalas is] one of the few American bands that I fear.” - Questlove
“Wasn’t that brother James Brown preaching up a bodacious erotic sermon? (Actually it was Amayo, Antibalas’ charismatic dreadlocked lead singer-conguero, inviting the audience to rip off its clothes.)” - Los Angeles Times