Presented in partnership with Radio Afrodicia, join us for a night of West African highlife music with Okwy Osadebe, son of legendary highlife royalty, Osita Osadebe. The Nigerian-based Afro beat rhythms will echo throughout Cal Plaza. Come get the night started on the dance floor with global beats spun by DJ Nice and LA’s own The Neighborhood Orchestra ft. Duain Richmond and Annie Gonzalez!
Schedule
SET TIMES:
6:00pm, DJ Nice
7:00pm, The Neighborhood Orchestra
8:30pm, Okwy Osadebe
LOCATION, PARKING & FAQ click here
Okwy Osadebe
Eastern Nigeria created its highlife music style by the mid-1950s. Chief Osita Osadebe, the little man from across the great River Niger, was the widely recognized front man with appeal to his people and region with a unique and enchanting dance wave, swinging West Africa’s music scenes. His voice was brazen, rasp, yet seductive and curiously magnetic. Chief Osadebe thus, introduced a unique traditional folkloric sound of the River Niger waves with horns and guitar driven rhythms. He borrowed heavy melody riffs from the traditional music, propelled each song with the vernacular Igbo dialect, interlaced It with philosophical proverbs of the region. He had an audience. He knew what they wanted. He assembled the right musicians, polished the rhythms and set them off, unleashing hits after hits on a people, desperately seeking music, message and merriment. Soon after the war, Eastern Nigeria became the center spread of this great West African Music which made its debut in Ghana at the beginning of the 20th century. The uniqueness of this music genre was in performances, vocal deliveries and messages marinated in the traditions and customs of the East. Chief Osita Osadebe was as iconic, as highlife music, a distinctive music type that featuredaudacious bass lines, interpretative percussions that infused horns andsaxophone elements into the rich and compelling rhythms. Whereas Osadebe’s highlife style is mostly guitar and horns laced mid-tempo and occasional lead guitar wailings on the routes, his son, Okwuchukwu, more than a decade after the giant’s eternal exit, unapologetically arrives to the new highlife frontiers and continues with the music of his late father.
Okwy is a youthful synergy; he captivates audiences with his sensual swagger, “cool ruler” swagger, with colorful stage and costume charms: Okwy, as he is affectionately called is the eldest son of the late Highlife legend. He is proving to be a true protégée. His message is deliberate, intense and articulate. His live performances leave concertgoers with sweltering goose bumps. He embraces what his father left behind, anchors his hopes and aspirations for humanity on his religion and tradition. To watch Okwy Osadebe express and interpret his traditional highlife on stage is human, to be moved by his soulful voice and the smooth contemporary up-tempo beat and songs delivery is beyond divine. Okwy has moved the music of his late father from its primitive elders’ forum to a mega metropolis feeling with adventure in new age instrumentation and modulation. Okwy is rising to an on- demand star with his music, determined to sing about dignity for all people. Listen to his music, watch him perform live: Love him or loathe him, you won’t ignore Okwy. Okwuchukwu is the heir-apparent to an iconic legend, beloved with a benevolent voice and rhythm. He traveled the music road of his idol, determined to best and sustain the rich music tradition for universal appeal.... **Azuka Jebose
Watch & Listen
The Neighborhood Orchestra ft. Duain Richmond and Annie Gonzalez
About Duain Richmond:
Duain Richmond is a celebrated actor and performer known for his powerful portrayal of Fela Kuti in the Broadway play FELA!. His performance has been critically acclaimed, earning him numerous awards and recognition in the theatre community. Duain’s deep connection to the music and spirit of Fela Kuti brings a unique authenticity to his performances, making him a standout artist in the Afrobeat genre.
Special Performance:
At Grand Performances, we will be performing a selection of Fela Kuti songs, featuring Duain Richmond. This special tribute will highlight the enduring legacy of Fela Kuti and his influential music, bringing a dynamic and vibrant experience to our audience. We believe this performance will be a special contribution to the evening, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Afrobeat music!
About Annie Gonzalez:
Annie Gonzalez is a dynamic Latina producer, actor, vocalist, and performer. She is widely recognized for her leading role in the upcoming biopic “Jenni,” where she stars as Jenni Rivera. Annie has also made significant contributions to TV and film with her acclaimed appearances in Netflix’s “Gentefied” and the film “Flamin’ Hot” produced by Eva Longoria. Her diverse talents and dedication to her craft make her an invaluable addition to The Neighborhood Orchestra, where she brings a fresh and original sound to our performances.
About The Neighborhood Orchestra Collective:
The Neighborhood Orchestra Collective, nestled in the vibrant musical landscape of Los Angeles, is an independent & pioneering music ensemble renowned for its unique and innovative approach to music, community engagement, and cultural diversity. With a rich tapestry of performances that bridge genres and communities, NOC has established itself as a formidable presence in the current music scene, known for its collaborations with music industry icons and talented artists.
DJ Nice
DJ Nice is a veteran DJ who has been spinning, entertaining and dropping the best beats in the last two decades. His expert mixing and intuition allows him to create a seamless musical experience for any event. His time as a dj has spanned the days of vinyls to cassettes and now to digital music. DJ Nice specializes in Afrobeats, Amapiano, Reggae, Highlife, Soca, Hip-hop, R&B, Gospel, Top 40 hits and more.
Growing up in Ghana, DJ Nice developed a love for entertaining at an early age. At the age of 10, he started spinning records using his family’s sound system and their house parties as his training grounds. After migrating to the US, DJ Nice recognized the need for consistent expertise in the various genres of African music and set out to hone in on his craft. He’s performed at a variety of events from house parties to bigger outdoor events.
DJ Nice has worked with a large selection of Afrobeats artists during events in California including Sarkodie, Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Shatta Wale, Timaya, Tekno and many more. He currently spins on Friday nights at the Tribe LA as well as at private events including weddings throughout the state. DJ Nice continues to reinvest in the craft by training up the next generation of DJs through hands-on training and mentorship.
This PERFORMANCE is supported, in part, by the Green Foundation, the Norris Foundation, a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture through the following programs: as part of Creative Recovery LA, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan, the Performing Arts Recovery Grant, and the Organizational Grant Program, a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and Ahmad Tea.
