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

 

 

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