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Antibalas

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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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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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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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

It's one thing for 11 musicians to make a big sound — and, sure, Antibalas does that — but what stands out is the subtlety of this ensemble; the way the horns weave in and out of each other, sometimes complementing and at other times inspiring and creating musical conversation between players.

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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