African music is a traditional form of appreciation that has been handed down from generation to generation throughout the years. It has some key features that should never be lost; the food, the dressing, and most importantly the music. Music is an important form of communication, culture preservation and relaxation. The presence of superb music at every meeting plays a significant role in why Nigerian parties are the center of relaxation, positive energy, and joy. Most of these events feature live African music played by bands.

To please her patrons, KOFs has brought a taste of Nigeria to Bowie. She has live music bands playing all genres of music, including Gbedu, High Life, Tungba (Solek), Akpala, Afrobeats, Juju, Gospel Tungba, and Classical Music (Gbemiga), so that patrons can move their bodies while being transported back in time. African music of any kind is essential to any meeting of Africans.

One of the most important Yoruba drums is the Gbedu, a form of African music. It was originally a Royal drum that could only be played by the King, and to which the King could dance. It was forbidden for anybody else to use this drum. Over time, the name came to signify “party.” Gbedu’s significance in Nigerian music was further enhanced through artists like Fela Kuti incorporating it into his instrument, Kola Ogunkoya describing his music style as Afro-gbedu, and Dele Sosimi forming a group called Gbedu Resurrection.

This African musical form is essentially equivalent to classic hip hop. The beats are fast, and people move in a frenzy to match it. It creates a party atmosphere that is best complemented with delicious party food like Jollof rice or pounded yam with egusi and palm wine.

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The Were music tradition’s improvisation led to the birth of Fuji music. This tradition was usually performed by Muslims, who wake up at dawn before the Ramadan period. According to legend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, the person who popularized the fuji genre after spotting a Mount Fuji poster at the airport, the adjective “Fuji” can be used to describe someone who is sociable. Numerous talented Fuji performers, including Alhaji Isiaka, Mike Ishola, and Solek, have performed on the KOF stage. They have won over the audience and convinced them to appreciate the beauty of the Fuji music style.

Over time, musical geniuses have dabbled with the genre and created beautiful sounds with it. The likes of Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, who created the Talazo fuji, and Alhaji Kollington Ayinla. These are the names at the forefront of any Fuji discussion, as they successfully took this genre out of Nigeria and established it in places like the UK. Muslims love this African music genre.

Palm Wine Music is another name for African Highlife music. Its origins can be traced back to Ghana in the late nineteenth century, but it was largely adopted by Igbo people before World War II, making it an official African music form. It is a modified Akan beat with a western twist.

Igbos have created their own high life genre by combining it with traditional Igbo music, known as Igbo Highlife. Over the years, they have used it to discuss and raise awareness about critical political and traditional concerns. While there are many Highlife music musicians, there is no King of Highlife music in the Nigerian music landscape.

During their time as a British colony, Nigerians produced the Apala music. The Cuban music influenced this African music sound, and this made it more complicated. The Apala genre, according to some, was created by Muslims. Haruno Ishola is the head of this music genre. He developed and consolidated his empire on Apala since 1955, and he and Ayinla Omowura are the two noteworthy individuals on whose shoulders the genre thrived.

Fuji and Highlife, combined with American Funk and Jazz influences, led to the creation of the African music genre known as Afrobeats. Ghana could be a possible source of origin. Artists like Fela Kuti jumped in and had a significant impact on the sound. It includes well-known genres including Pon Pon, Azonto, and Banku Music. Contrary to other African music genres that had not received as much notoriety during this time, artists like Dbanj, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Naeto C, P Square, Flavour, MI Abaga, and Fuse ODG have expanded the influence of the genre in their individual countries from the US, Ghana, and UK.

As the term generally translates to “to throw or toss something,” Juju Music is body flinging music, as opposed to the misconception that it refers to the Traditional Religion, which employs charms. Initially, a Muslim Yoruba created it. The names Fatai Rolling Dollar, Ebenezar Obey, and King Sunny Ade are emblematic of Nigerian Juju music. Ibadan is the most well-known location for Juju performances, and audience members frequently spray performers with cash. Since it is a festive kind of African music, bands typically play it at weddings, naming ceremonies, house warmings, funerals, and any other type of party event that comes to mind.

Solek is not just a wonder boy, he is also an amazing Juju music artist who has performed to the crowd at various events held at KOF.

Gospel music with a party vibe is known as Gospel Tungba. Gospel music in this genre is sung to juju beats. Christians who want to host celebrations but do not want to employ circular music generally accept it. Yinka Ayefele is the pioneer name associated with this. His miracle survival in an accident inspired him to pursue it, and he has so far gathered a lot of fame and notoriety for this genre. One may argue that this style of African music originated in Nigeria, but has since spread throughout the world thanks to the country’s sizable Christian population.

The talented Tosin Adu and Onyeka Owenu have stirred souls and bodies simultaneously to this beautiful African music sound during their performances at Kof.

At every event held at the Cafe and on a daily basis at Kof, all of these African music styles are equally represented. Kofs Sports Cafe invests in making sure that your stomach is not the only thing filled when you visit but that your spirit is as well. This is done in the spirit of keeping tradition and knowing that one isn’t complete without the other as they both intersect.