Sikiru Adepoju facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sikiru Adepoju
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | 10 November 1950 |
| Origin | Nigeria |
| Genres | World music |
| Occupation(s) | Percussionist, recording artist |
| Instruments | Talking drum |
Sikiru Adepoju (born November 10, 1950) is a talented musician from Nigeria. He is a percussionist, which means he plays drums and other instruments you hit. Sikiru is famous for his traditional African music and world music, which mixes sounds from different cultures. He plays many kinds of instruments and has a unique style.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Roots
Sikiru Adepoju is a master of the talking drum. This special drum can make sounds that mimic human speech. He comes from a musical family in Eruwa, a town in western Nigeria.
Learning to Play Drums
Sikiru and his brothers, Saminu and Lasisi, learned to play drums very early. Their father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju, was their first teacher. His name, Ayan, means "descended from drummers," showing their family's long history with music.
Touring with a Legend
When Sikiru was still a teenager, he toured and recorded albums with a famous band. This was the Inter-Reformers Band, led by Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. Obey was a pioneer of Afro-beat, a popular music style from Nigeria.
Sikiru's Musical Journey
In 1985, Sikiru Adepoju traveled to America. He went there to play with a group called O. J. Ekemode's Nigerian All-Stars. Just three months later, he met another important musician, Babatunde Olatunji.
Joining Drums of Passion
Sikiru became a key part of Olatunji's famous group, Drums of Passion. Through Olatunji, he met Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. This meeting opened many new doors for Sikiru.
Collaborations with Mickey Hart
Sikiru often played drums with Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann (another Grateful Dead drummer). They had special "Rhythm Devils" parts during Grateful Dead concerts. He also played the talking drum with Mickey Hart's group, Bembe Orisha, which toured in 2001.
Sikiru has been part of most of Mickey Hart's music projects. This includes albums like Mickey Hart's Mystery Box, At the Edge, and Supralingua. He also helped Mickey Hart win Grammy Awards for the albums Planet Drum and Global Drum Project.
Sikiru is a member of the Mickey Hart Band. He recorded on their CD Mysterium Tremendum. He even sings on one of their songs called "Who Stole the Show?".
Other Exciting Collaborations
Sikiru has worked with many other amazing artists. He collaborated with Muruga Booker and Olatunji on the CD Cosmic Rhythm Vibrations. This album was later re-released as Circle of Drums.
He also plays with Muruga Booker and Badal Roy in the Global Village Ceremonial Band. They performed at the Starwood Festival in 2003. This led to the SpiritDrum Festival, which honored Babatunde Olatunji.
Sikiru has recorded albums with a wide range of musicians. These include Carlos Santana, Airto Moreira, Stevie Wonder, and Zakir Hussain. He has truly worked with some of the biggest names in music!
Leading His Own Bands
Besides collaborating, Sikiru Adepoju also leads his own music groups. These include The Honeymakers, Afrika Heartbeat, and Sikiru Adepoju & Heart Beat.
Afrika Heartbeat released their first CD, Ijinle Ilu, in 2003. The band Sikiru Adepoju & Heart Beat started performing in 2009. They had their first show at the 29th Starwood Festival.
Riddim Doctors Project
Sikiru's newest project is called "Riddim Doctors". This group features Sikiru Adepoju, Giovanni Hidalgo, Zakir Hussain, and other talented musicians.
Music Albums (Discography)
Here are some of the albums Sikiru Adepoju has played on:
- The Apocalypse Now Sessions (1979) – with Rhythm Devils
- Juju Jubilee (1985) – with Ebenezer Obey
- Drums of Passion: The Invocation (1988) – with Babatunde Olatunji
- At the Edge (1990) – with Mickey Hart
- Planet Drum (1991) – with Mickey Hart
- Jungle Fever (1991) – with Stevie Wonder
- Mickey Hart's Mystery Box (1996) – with Mickey Hart
- Supralingua (1998) – with Mickey Hart
- Ijinle Ilu – with Afrika Heartbeat (2003)
- Circle of Drums (2005) – with Babatunde Olatunji
- Global Drum Project (2008) – with Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Giovanni Hidalgo
- Mysterium Tremendum (2012) – with Mickey Hart Band
- Superorganism (2013) – with Mickey Hart Band
- RAMU (2017) – with Mickey Hart
- In the Groove (2022) – with Planet Drum
Film Appearances (Filmography)
- The Rhythm Devils Concert Experience (2008 two-disc DVD)
Awards and Recognition
Sikiru Adepoju won a Grammy Award in 2009. He received the award for Best Contemporary World Music Album. This was for his work on Mickey Hart's Global Drum Project album. The award ceremony was the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
