Sunday Anthony Ishola Adeniyi A.K.A. King Sunny Ade was born a real prince but became the King of Juju music.
Along with his band the African Beats Kind Sunny Ade became international worldbeat stars long before the term was ever coined. He the brought to the world the hypnotic grooves, talking drums and Yoruban dialect of his native Nigerian juju music to the world.
King Sunny Ade and his African Beats were Island records’ choice for the next Bob Marley in the early eighties. They were the biggest band from the largest city of the most populated country in Africa and they paved the way for African pop-stars like Angelique Kidjo, Yousou N’Door, and Salif Keita as well as the cross cultural music excursion of American musicians like Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon and David Byrne.
(Hosted by Christopher Lydon)
Guests:
King Sunny Ade