Sikiru Adepoju facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sikiru Adepoju
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| Background information | |
| Born | 10 November 1950 |
| Origin | Nigeria |
| Genres | World music |
| Occupation(s) | Percussionist, recording artist |
| Instruments | Talking drum |
Sikiru Adepoju is a talented musician from Nigeria. He was born on November 10, 1950. Sikiru is a percussionist, which means he plays drums and other instruments you hit. He is known for his amazing skills in traditional African music and world music, which is music from different cultures around the globe.
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Sikiru Adepoju's Early Life and Musical Roots
Sikiru Adepoju is a true master of the talking drum. This special drum can make sounds that are like human speech! He grew up in a musical family in Eruwa, a town in western Nigeria.
Learning to Play Drums
Sikiru and his brothers, Saminu and Lasisi, started learning to play drums when they were very young. Their father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju, taught them. His father's name, Ayan, actually means "descended from drummers." This shows how music was a big part of their family history.
Touring with a Juju Music Legend
When Sikiru was still a teenager, he got to tour with a famous band. This was the Inter-Reformers Band, led by Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. Obey was one of the first artists to create Afro-beat music, a popular style from Nigeria. Sikiru also recorded several albums with them.
Sikiru Adepoju's Musical Journey in America
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 very important musician, Babatunde Olatunji.
Joining Drums of Passion
Sikiru quickly became a key member of Olatunji's famous group, Drums of Passion. Through Olatunji, he met Mickey Hart, who was the drummer for the legendary band Grateful Dead.
Collaborations with Mickey Hart
Since meeting Mickey Hart, Sikiru has often played as a guest percussionist. He joined Hart and Bill Kreutzmann during their "Rhythm Devils" parts of Grateful Dead concerts. He also played the talking drum with Mickey Hart's group, Bembe Orisha, when they toured in 2001.
Sikiru has been a part of many of Mickey Hart's projects. This includes albums like Mickey Hart's Mystery Box, At the Edge, and Supralingua. He also helped Mickey Hart win a Grammy Award for the albums Planet Drum and Global Drum Project. Sikiru is a member of the Mickey Hart Band and sang on their song "Who Stole the Show?" from the CD Mysterium Tremendum.
Other Exciting Collaborations
Sikiru has worked with many other talented musicians. 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. Other musicians like Jim Donovan and Richie "Shakin'" Nagan also took part.
Sikiru has recorded albums with a wide range of artists. These include Carlos Santana, Airto Moreira, Stevie Wonder, and Zakir Hussain. He has also worked with his old band leader, Chief Ebenezer Obey.
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 on July 22, 2009. This group features musicians like Douglas "Val" Serrant on steel drum and djembe, and Peter Fujii on guitar.
At the same event, Sikiru and Douglas Serrant joined a new version of the Rainforest Band. This was a tribute to Merl Saunders, a musician they had played with before.
Current Project: Riddim Doctors
Sikiru Adepoju's current music project is called "Riddim Doctors." This group includes amazing musicians like Giovanni Hidalgo, Zakir Hussain, and Douglas "Val" Serrant.
Sikiru Adepoju's Music Albums
Sikiru Adepoju has played on many albums throughout his career. Here are some of them:
- The Apocalypse Now Sessions (1979) – with Rhythm Devils
- Juju Jubilee (1985) – with Ebenezer Obey
- Drums of Passion: The Invocation (1988) – with Babatunde Olatunji
- Drums of Passion: The Beat (1989) – with Babatunde Olatunji
- At the Edge (1990) – with Mickey Hart
- Planet Drum (1991) – with Mickey Hart
- Jungle Fever (1991) – with Stevie Wonder
- Drums of Passion: Celebrate Freedom, Justice & Peace (1993) – with Babatunde Olatunji
- Mickey Hart's Mystery Box (1996) – with Mickey Hart
- Supralingua (1998) – with Mickey Hart
- Ijinle Ilu – with Afrika Heartbeat (2003)
- Life After That (2003) – with Airto Moreira
- Circle of Drums (2005) – with Babatunde Olatunji
- Global Drum Project (2008) – with Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, and Giovanni Hidalgo
- The Rhythm Devils Concert Experience (2009) – with Rhythm Devils
- 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
Sikiru Adepoju's Film and Video Works
Sikiru Adepoju has also appeared in musical films.
- The Rhythm Devils Concert Experience (2008 two-disc DVD)
Sikiru Adepoju's Awards and Recognition
Sikiru Adepoju is a Grammy Award winner! In 2009, he won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album. This was for his work on Mickey Hart's Global Drum Project album. The award ceremony took place in Los Angeles.
