Dele Sosimi

Born in Hackney, East London, but soon to return to his parents’ native Nigeria at the age of four, Dele was schooled and raised in Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s shadow at the height of early 70s afrobeat. Chosen by Fela to join his band at a somewhat tender age, he was still a young man when sharing Fela’s Glastonbury stage in 1984. Dele went on to become Musical Director for both Fela’s Egypt 80 and later Femi Kuti’s Positive Force.

Afrobeat Vibration

After Fela’s passing in 1997, Dele went on to concentrate on his solo career and, with diligent patience, carved out his own afrobeat crown. In London, where he now resides, his Afrobeat Vibration all-nighters are charged with Dele’s passion and  unrelenting spirit, delivering Fela classics alongside his own compositions from two studio albums, Turbulent Times, and Identity.

Dele’s 2013 debut long-player for Wah Wah 45s, You No Fit Touch Am was produced by Benedic Lamdin AKA Nostalgia 77 and cleverly combined the organic, urgent afro-funk sound of the former with the latter’s perfectly pitched production. It represents where Dele is today – something of an untouchable force in the music scene that he has always been such a vital part of. The album provided a musical representation of Dele’s strong socio-political opinions, as well as delivering classic song-writing that could have come straight out of 1970s Lagos.