LAGOS THUGS is a Nigerian, Lagos-based Afrobeat band made up of 6 young, talented musicians, led by vocalist and saxophonist Adetunji Adeyemi, a young, talented multi-instrumentalist.
Although their music generally follows the musical architecture and language of Afrobeat, it incorporates elements of jazz, dub and traditional drumming from Cuba and West Africa.
Founded in 2020 by Adetunji Adeyemi under the name "The Lagos Thugs Afrobeat", the group performed for the first time on January 29, 2021 at the Bature Brewery in Lagos as part of a music evening organized by the famous Nigerian trumpeter ETUK UBONG. In the weeks that followed, the group consolidated with a core of fifteen members and expanded its repertoire of original compositions. In their first year of existence, the band managed to secure a permanent slot on Friday nights at Bature Brewery Vi in March 2021, which lasted from March until the opening ceremony, where they always headlined.
Lagos Thugs toured Nigerian jazz festivals and were chosen as the opening act for many of Seun Kuti's performances, from The Shrine to The Alliance Francaise. The New Year's Eve concert with Seun Kuti, who recently collaborated with Common & Black Thought of The Roots, was even broadcast on MTV Africa. After winning the MOP (Mouvement of the People) Award, they met up with Amayo & Antibalas in Nigeria during last year's Felabration. The Brooklyn-based band was so impressed with their music that they decided to feature Lagos Thugs in the upcoming Netflix Antibalas documentary, they conducted interviews and you will also see live footage of the band during the Felabration.
After contacting DJ Ness Afro (Ness Radio / Afrodiziak) via social media for their first single "INNOCENT BLOOD (Let it be known)" at the end of 2021, they decided to produce a full album with him and collaborate with his team in France and also in the UK with Lee Bright from Tangential Music.The album was mixed and mastered in Paris by Kino Doscun, Opera Garnier & Youthie's outstanding sound engineer and multi-instrumentalist. Together with Kino Doscun and DJ Ness Afro, Lagos Thugs wanted an analog, warm, raw 70s sound that is different from most contemporary Afrobeat productions. The art work for their second single 'New Improved Elephant' was designed by Sonia Bela.
The beautiful, nostalgic and emotional voice of Adetunji Adeyemi is full of love, sincerity and infinite respect for Fela. The sweet female background vocals perfectly match this special atmosphere that could easily bring tears to the listeners' eyes. It's a perfect, pure Afrobeat blend between the heavy bass and the powerful horn section with the epic trumpet solo that will give you goosebumps.
