Press Release :
British-born of Nigerian parents, Amayo's spirit was first ignited at Fela's club, The Shrine, in Lagos, Nigeria. While growing up in Lagos, his primary passions were dancing and practicing Kung Fu to the rhythms of Funk and Afrobeat. It was then that the seed of Afrobeat was first implanted within him. It would incubate, nourished by the strength of his vision and determination, until the perfect time for emergence. As lead singer and percussionist for Antibalas, he has performed all over the world igniting crowds and audiences into frenzies. In addition to his duties with the afrobeat juggernaut, Amayo also performs with his Fu-Arkist-Ra.

AMAYO's FU-ARKIST-RA is a 12 piece ensemble based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Led by Amayo, who composes, arranges, sings and plays keyboards, the band features some members of Antibalas, Jojo Kuo & Ola Jagun (both former members of Fela Kuti's Egypt '80), Kunle Ade ( son of juju legend King Suny Ade) and a recent guest member is Dick Griffin, formally with Sun Ra. This union represent a diverse spectrum of backgrounds, but all carry the fused DNA of Kung Fu masters and philosophers of the Orient, Fela Kuti and the Royal warriors of Benin/Ife Kingdoms. The result is a lethal weapon called FU-Afrobeat: a blend of African spiritual rhythms, traditional Chinese lion rhythms, highlife, funk, and jazz, infused with political messages. The inventor of Afrobeat, Fela Kuti once said, "Wait make I reach where I de go." (just you wait till I reach my destination).

More info and tickets at www.fuarkistra.com