Onipa

Friday 14 January 2022

A message of connection through collaboration… From Ghana to London, from our ancestors to our children, a prism of AFROFUTURISM refracts energy, groove, dance and fire.

 

Born out of deep collaboration between long-time friends Kweku of Ghana and Tom Excell (musical director of Nubiyan Twist), Onipa represent a fiery collaboration between some of the heaviest players on the UK live scene.

The 5-piece live show features KOG on vocals, balafon and percussion, Tom on guitar, percussion and electronics, Dwayne Kilvington (Wonky Logic) on synths and MPC, Joe Henwood (Nubiyan Twist) on barritone sax & electronics and Finn Booth (Nubiyan Twist) on drums.

As KOG explains, “ONIPA means ‘human’ in Akan, the ancient language of the Ashanti people of Ghana. It’s a message of connection through collaboration: from Ghana to London, our ancestors to our children, Onipa brings energy, groove, electronics, afrofuturism, dance and fire!”

Their debut album, ‘We No Be Machine’ was released in March 2020 via Strut Records. The record combines deep afro grooves, electronics and fierce energy in an effervescent celebration of cultural and musical encounters.

This release was followed in September 2021 by with ‘Tapes Of Utopia’, a new mixtape full of dancefloor fire released on Boomerang Records. The mixtape features the unmistakeable rhythms of Tony Allen on drums and a guest appearance from Sheffield hip hop artist Franz Von alongside Onipa’s very own K.O.G. – hot off his guest appearance with Nubiyan Twist on Jools Holland with their 6Music A-Listed single If I Know.

More Norfolk Listings MORE

Norfolk Friday 13 June

Totally Tina

The Lifetime Achievement awards was presented to Totally TINA as the tribute act who has made an outstanding…

Norfolk Friday 20 June

Failure Project

Following her critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival, BAFTA nominee Yolanda Mercy returns with her bold new…

Norfolk Thursday 26 June

Tones – A Hip Hop Opera

A piece of gig theatre like no other, Tones – A Hip Hop Opera combines the gritty underground…

Norfolk Saturday 20 September

Stephen K Amos: Now We’re Talking

Join the inimitable Stephen K Amos for an evening of sharp wit, infectious charm and hilarious observations as…

Norfolk Friday 7 November

Mama Afrika

Zimbabwean-born singer, musician and storyteller Anna Mudeka brings to life the extraordinary journey of Miriam Makeba – the…

Norfolk Sunday 16 November

David Olusoga: A Gun Through Time

Have you ever considered how a single weapon could change the course of history? What stories lie behind…