Benin City

Benin City

Benin City is a British group based in London. It takes its name from a Nigerian state capital. The line-up consists of vocalist and poet Joshua Idehen, vocalist Shanaz Dorsett and multi-instrumentalist Tom Leaper. The group forms in 2008 and remains active.

Style and activity

Benin City works across jazz, poetry, pop and spoken word, with an emphasis on energetic live performance. Idehen meets Theo Buckingham at a squat party, and the pair begin making music together before Leaper joins to help turn their ideas into arranged songs. The group supports acts including Fool’s Gold, Tinashe, Yungun, Sound of Rum and Kid British.

Media and reception

The group receives airplay on BBC Radio 3’s The Verb and on Huey Morgan’s BBC Radio 6 Music show. Its performances attract support from John Kennedy, Edith Bowman, Mark Lamarr, Scroobius Pip, Ed Sheeran and Craig Charles.

Recordings

Benin City releases its debut album, Fires In The Park, on AD in 2013.