Sola Akingbola and The Eegun Rhapsodies

Solá Akingbolá is a multifaceted vocalist, composer, and world-class percussionist who stands as the architect of a new sonic movement known as Black Atlantic Funk. Akingbolá's work is a celebration of cultural fusion, bridging his Nigerian heritage with his British upbringing.Solá Akingbolá is a multifaceted vocalist, composer, and world-class percussionist who stands as the architect of a new sonic movement known as Black Atlantic Funk. Born in Yorubaland, Nigeria, and raised in London, Akingbolá's work is a celebration of cultural fusion, bridging his Nigerian heritage with his British upbringing. He views rhythm not merely as accompaniment, but as a "spiritual technology" and a living force that carries ancestral intelligence through sound.
Akingbolá's career began in the early 1990s jazz scene with the Ronny Jordan Band after nurturing his talent in Gasper Lawal's Oro Band. For over 25 years, he played as an integral member of the global funk sensation Jamiroquai, co-producing the "groove chemistry" found on their last seven albums and performing at major international venues. Beyond his work with Jamiroquai, he has collaborated with legendary artists including David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, and Damon Albarn.
As a composer, Akingbolá has achieved significant critical acclaim, winning the BMI Award for Best Film & TV Score in both 2023 and 2024 for his work on the CBS series Bob Hearts Abishola. His compositional reach extends to prestigious theater stages, where he has created original music for the Royal Shakespeare Company (including productions of Hamlet and Othello) and the National Theatre.
His latest release, Olukumi, reimagines the Yoruba phrase for my friend into a vibrant anthem for community, blending cyclical West African percussion and infectious guitar grooves, the track sings in sacred drums a joyful celebration of solidarity, and cross-cultural unity across the modern African diaspora.
The music doesn't just tell stories - it moves them forward.
Sola Akingbola (LEAD/VOCALS)
Kwame Yeboah (KEYS/VOCALS)
Eric Appapoulay (GUITAR/VOCALS)
Yolanda Charles (BASS)
Michel Castellanos-Rojas (DRUMS)
Oli Savill (PERCUSSION)