Based: Johannesburg
World Afrobeat Music composer and performer, versatile saxophonist and dynamic vocalist, Femi Koya is the new face of the African Renaissance, combining West African highlife and Jazz, South African Sofiatown with a nostalgic Afrobeat root sounds, his music is a rich blend of deep and sultry Afrobeat and contemporary groove. He is urban and urbane. His life’s journey – a story of migration from the West to the South – resonates in his music, which creates a conscious dialogue between West African and South African sounds. This musical fusion demonstrates the path to a new and culturally integrated Africa in which a common heritage is reinforced to meet the needs of today’s world. His quest is for African unity at a time when he believes Africa should claim its rightful and proud place in the world.
Femi Koya’s debut album “Just in Newtown” is evidence of the rich melodies that result from this fusion. Through his versatility on the saxophone, he breathes new life into African world music. “Iba” meaning “Homage” is the title of Femi Koya’s second album which was launched in August 2015. The Iba album also calls for African unity and makes a plea for human rights to be respected. But the album also celebrates Africa’s love of life with infectious dance numbers that bring fans to their feet. Latest album “Village Afrobeat” which was release April 20 2018, the songs depict nature, fertility, rituals, change of seasons and traditions essential to village life. The Album tells stories and tales of what happens in Villages and especially fables with animals like tortoise, the role of town criers, village men and women as part of the whole village lifestyle.
His musical influences include Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Manu di Bango, Hugh Masekela, & John Coltrane.
He has recorded with Simphiwe Dana, Pops Mohamed ,Yvonne Chaka Chaka, He has worked with Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal , Hugh Masekela, Wizkid, Zonke, Soweto Gospel Choir, just to mention a few, shared the stage with Youssou N’dour at the CAF
(Confederation of African Football Awards) in Lagos and with John Legend in his first South African tour in Cape Town. He performed alongside the king of Juju music, Sunny Ade, at the Glo launch in the Republic of Benin. Other colourful festivals felt Femi Koya’s acrobatic music, where he performed alongside the Wynton Marsalis, Oliver Mtukudzi, Habib Koite, Salif Keita.
PAST PERFORMANCES
Joy of Jazz festival, Johannesurg 2015 Jazz on the lake 2015
Arts Alive 2015
The Shred 2016
City Joburg NYE Concert 2015
Joburg Theatre Africa day celebrations 2015
Africa Chic 2016
World heritage Fund at Cradle of Human kind 2016
Mieliepop Festival 23rd March 2018 – Lothair
Africa month theme song SABC 2016 Oppikopi Festival 2016
Mieliepop Festival 2017
Starbucks Session 2017
Bush Fire Festival Swaziland 2017 Park Acoustics November 2017 Nubian Music Fest 2017
April/July 2018 Africa Day festival 26th May 2018 – Johannesburg
Zakifo 27th May 2018 – Durban
Capital Craft Beer Festival June 2018 – Pretoria
National Grahamstown Festival 6 July 2018 Grahamstown
Plettenburg Art festival July 2018