Bola Abimbola

"Bola Abimbola" Bola Abimbola was born in 1966 and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, the same city of thirteen million that gave us celebrated African musical pioneers Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade. With a childhood full of singing and drumming in the traditions of Yoruba and West African culture, a career in music came naturally to him. He debuted professionally as a songwriter and producer for some of Nigeria’s most successful young artists, including Daddy Showkey, Saheed Osupa and Pasuma. In 1997, he released his first recording as a solo act, titled, “Buyanga”, which earned him the honor of being named “Artist of the Year” at Nigeria’s Fame Awards in 1998. His talents then caught the attention of King Sunny Ade, who invited Bola to tour with him as a guest artist and backing vocalist. Bola appeared with Sunny on his 1999 world tour and at several WOMAD (World of Music, Arts, and Dance) festivals. King Sunny Ade’s most recent recording, “Seven Degrees North” (2000), also features Bola’s voice.