Antibalas

Antibalas formed in Brooklyn in 1998, drawing directly from Fela Kuti's politically charged Afrobeat. The band's early years involved finding their footing in New York's music spaces, building a sound that was both faithful to its roots and immediate in its energy. Their debut album, "Liberation Afrobeat Vol. 1," captured that raw, rhythmic drive.

Over time, the group developed around a core of musicians like trumpeter Martín Perna, saxophonist Amayo, and drummer Victor Axelrod. They've worked with figures like David Byrne and the late drummer Tony Allen, Fela's own collaborator. Their songs, including "Dirty Money" and "The Ratcatcher," often carry messages about social justice and corruption, a thread running through their work.

Antibalas helped introduce Afrobeat to new audiences, particularly in the United States, through steady touring and records like "Who Is William Onyeabor?" and "Security Alert." They operate more as a collective than a fixed lineup, which has kept their sound fluid. The music remains grounded in those interlocking rhythms and horns, a live experience built for movement and message.