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Antibalas artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music
Modeled after classic Afrobeat bands like Fela Kuti's Africa 70, Brooklyn's Antibalas makes intensely rhythmic music that blends jazz, funk, dub and traditional West African drumming with political messages for an intense sound.
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Antibalas is a creative amalgamation of jazz, funk, dub, hip-hop and, at its root, Afrobeat. Afrobeat is characterized by big bands with large horn sections, polyrhythmic percussion, grooving repetition and group improvisation. Produced by The Current.
()Taking up where African icon Fela Kuti left off, NYC-based Antibalas has found a growing audience for its dance-ready Afrobeat style, peppered with Latin and funk flavors. Listen to live cuts from their recent gig at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC.
()The African beats of Brooklyn's Antibalas; The Sahara's rebel group Tinariwen; Dark harmonies from The Besnard Lakes; The controlled chaos of Frog Eyes; The whimsical pop of Let's Go Sailing; A day at the river with Leah Siegel; Spare, melancholy melodies from Low.
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Antibalas' nearly 13-minute Afrobeat epic "Sanctuary" unwinds with a graceful, unhurried pace that ever-so-slowly builds steam with each rhythmic reiteration. Though the bassline anchors the song, Antibalas works in a marvelously subtle mix of other elements.
()Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats; the amazing world of Joe Meek; motor-boating with Vic Chesnutt; a career-making hit from Clem Snide; Loudon Wainwright as the last man on earth; one giant leap with Baaba Maal; and Afrobeats from Brooklyn's Antibalas.
()Antibalas' nearly 13-minute Afrobeat epic "Sanctuary" unwinds with a graceful, unhurried pace that ever-so-slowly builds steam with each rhythmic reiteration. Though the bassline anchors the song, Antibalas works in a marvelously subtle mix of other elements.
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