The Diggin In The Crates is a 10 part series (don’t worry we’ll keep it short) aimed at giving some behind the scenes information on origins, influences and wéré(madness or insanity- depending on your perspective) of BANTU.
We’ll kick it off with our 2nd release (why abide to rules?) “Fire Inna Dancehall”. The tune was inspired by a U-Roy track that my brother Abiodun (aka Don Abi) & I remember listening to as teenagers during Sunday chores-Our dad was an enthusiastic home DJ.
It was recorded live with the Schäl Sick Brass Band from Cologne, Germany. “Fire Inna Dancehall” features yours truly AdeBantu, Abiodun, Amaechi and Patrice.
It was a radio favorite in Nigeria (it actually earned us our second radio charts entry -after our debut single “Nzogbu”).
My Music My Hood is a short documentary on Ade Bantu- where he lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria. It gives you an insight into what inspires his music, sound and politics.
The documentary was produced by Lagos based cable network station Nigezie.
An interview in German recently broadcasted on Radio Funkhaus Europa:
Adé Bantu ist ein alter Freund der 5Planeten. Der Deutsch-Nigerianer hat letztes Jahr sein drittes Album heraus gebracht mit features von Künstlern wie Nneka und Wanlov The Kubolor. Momentan arbeitet der Gründer der Brothers Keepers an seinem vierten Album und engagiert sich in vielerlei musikalischen Projekten. Im Gespräch mit 5Planeten Moderator Francis Gay spricht er über eines dieser Projekte, die berliner Veranstaltung “Global Prayers”, Wiederstandsmusik in Lagos und die aktuellen Trends der nigerianischen Musikszene.
I’m usually skeptical when TV folks come up to me and say they want to do a portrait caus i always feel misrepresented especially if they haven’t done their research and they keep repeating/asking the same “can we get to meet you” line but Seun did a good job-he actually went out of his way to show another side of me (is that patronizing?) anyways i heard they showed this piece on channels TV in Nigeria. No wonder folks kept on ringing to say they saw me on CNN (i ain’t joking). So enjoy, and thanks once again to www.a24.com
Backstage during Felabration 2011. It was fun hanging around friends and fellow artists. The vibe is always exceptionally positive no ego tripping we just celebrating the man himself FELA. The shrine crowd is something else they party hard -taking no prisoners stylee. I’ll be posting some shots of our show later in the week.
Photo session with Uche James Iroha in Ogba, Lagos.
We decided to go for something raw and urban that represent our WaFunk aka West Afrikan Funk.
“Standing AmongThe Crowd” by Terh Agbedeh of National Mirror
New Movie “Relentless” features songs by Bantu
We’re going to the cinemas thanks to Nigerian film maker Andy Amadi Okoroafor’s “Relentless”- the movie stars Jimmy Jean Louis, Gideon Okeke and musician/singer Nneka Egbuna.According to Okoroafor it is “a haunting story about loneliness, love and self-discovery that explores Africa’s throbbing megacity Lagos, and the effects of war and loss.”
I was privileged to have seen Relentless at the maiden edition of the African International Film Festival in Port Harcourt earlier this month and i must say i was highly impressed. It’s the ultimate Lagos movie, a well executed arthouse piece of cinematic beauty.
The soundtrack also features Tony Allen, Oranmiyan, Nneka, General Pype & Keziah Jones
More infos: http://weblog.liberatormagazine.com/2010/06/relentless-staring-nneka-egbuna-teaser.html
New Bantu videoclip “Marching To Aso” filmed in Ajegunle, Lagos. The song features Azadus.
(Amaechi in Action!) 
