To say that music runs in the family of popular musician, producer and entrepreneur, Michael Ajaere popularly known as Don Jazzy is not an understatement but a fact. Unknown to many, Gabriel Akujobi better known as Uche and face of ‘Yankari’ an afrobeat band based in Dublin, Ireland is making waves around the world with his band.
It seems the same musical genes flow in Don Jazzy and Uche. Uché who is currently in Nigeria to promote the band’s latest single, ‘Mago Mago’ explains what the song is all about: “Mago Mago is a Nigerian phrase used to imply a person or action of a deceptive or untrustworthy intent, a trickster of sorts. Unfortunately, as we all know, this term applies to many people in positions of power all over the world.
As such, the song is a statement on the struggles faced by all of us as we move through an age of fake news and questionable leadership at this point in time where both the people and planet have had enough.”
Born in Nigeria and moved to Dublin, Ireland in his teens, Akujobi found comfort expressing himself in music especially in the style of his idol Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Yankari was formed by Uché and brothers – Segun and Michael Akano who are also originally from Nigeria. Uche’s wife, Antonia, has also been a mainstay of the band from its inception; as a backup singer and now advisor. So it’s more of a family affair.
The trio aspires to advance the original Afrobeat genre by incorporating contemporary sounds, such as, jazz, funk, dance, rock-and-roll whilst keeping the traditional elemental groove of Afrobeat. They now work with incredible musicians from Ireland, America and all over the world to bring this new sound.
With his band, Yankari, he has been able to tour the world and now wants to give back to his motherland, Nigeria. Where he learnt what it is to be a proud African. A number of promoters have approached him with the view of getting his band to perform in many live music festivals all around Europe and America as well as the popular ‘Felabration’.
