Dele Sosimi

Dele Sosimi

Dele Sosimi, born Bamidele Olatunbosun Sosimi in Hackney, London, in 1963, is a Nigerian-British musician associated with afrobeat and jazz. He works as a keyboard player, bandleader and arranger, and his career is closely linked to the development of modern afrobeat in Nigeria and the UK.

Career

Sosimi begins his professional career in 1979 when he joins Fela Ransome Kuti & Africa 70, where he remains until 1986. After that, he helps create Femi Anikulapo Kuti and the Positive Force with Femi Kuti, performing with the group from 1986 to 1994. In both ensembles he plays keyboards and also serves as musical director, re-orchestrating and arranging music, and recruiting and training new musicians.

He is also a member of Egypt 80, Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra and Eparapo. His solo work includes the debut album Turbulent Times in 2002, which features members of the resident afrobeat community. He also contributes to the 3-CD compilation Essential Afrobeat, released through Family Recordings and Universal in 2004.

Recording and collaborations

In 2004, Sosimi produces and co-writes Calabash Volume 1: Afrobeat Poems by Ikwunga, described as the first afrobeat poet. He also works on the Wahala Project, which releases the single “Wahala” in 2006; the track also appears on Puma’s 2006 FIFA World Cup compilation Africa Plays On. His second album is Identity.

Sosimi is described as one of the most active musicians on the afrobeat scene.