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Antibalas

Antibalas' 'Fu Chronicles' Is A Martial Arts-Inspired Testament To Afrobeat

"This album was the first chapter where kung fu meets Afrobeat," Amayo says of the new Antibalas album Fu Chronicles. It is inspired by Amayo's martial arts background and the Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images hide caption

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Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Music Interviews

Antibalas' 'Fu Chronicles' Is A Martial Arts-Inspired Testament To Afrobeat

For two decades, some of Afropop's hottest sounds have come out of Brooklyn. Duke Amayo and Martin Perna of the band Antibalas talk about their latest release, Fu Chronicles.

Antibalas' 'Fu Chronicles' Is A Martial Arts-Inspired Testament To Afrobeat

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Antibalas: Cooking Up Afrobeat In A Sweltering Kitchen

Antibalas was founded in 1998 by baritone sax player Martin Perna (far right, in hat) and is fronted by singer-percussionist Amayo (center, in head wrap). The group has seen many lineup changes in its decade and a half together. Marina Abadjieff/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Marina Abadjieff/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

Antibalas: Cooking Up Afrobeat In A Sweltering Kitchen

The band's leaders say Antibalas relies on two factors to play well: tropical temperatures and a relaxed pace. The ensemble's latest album is simply titled Antibalas.

Antibalas: Cooking Up Afrobeat In A Sweltering Kitchen

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Review

Song Of The Day

Percussive Thunder and Showers of Brass

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.

Sanctuary

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Music Interviews

Bullet-Proof Afrobeat

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.

Bullet-Proof Afrobeat

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Antibalas: Tiny Desk Concert

Antibalas performs a Tiny Desk Concert on Sept. 25. Ryan Smith/NPR hide caption

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Ryan Smith/NPR

Tiny Desk

Antibalas: Tiny Desk Concert

What stands out is the subtlety of this ensemble; the way the horns weave in and out of each other, complementing and at times inspiring and creating musical conversation.

Antibalas: Tiny Desk Concert

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SXSW Music Festival

SXSW 2007: Antibalas

The Current

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.

Anitbalas in Studio from SXSW - 03/16/2007

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World Cafe

Antibalas: Political but Party-Friendly

XPN

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.

Antibalas in Studio on World Cafe - 05/16/2007

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All Songs Considered

Antibalas, The Besnard Lakes, Let's Go Sailing

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 and more.

Antibalas, The Besnard Lakes, Let's Go Sailing

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