About the performance

Yaaba Funk are a 10-piece Afro-Funk explosion from Brixton, playing original material influenced by Ghanaian highlife, traditional West African music and 21st century urban styles. They combine the tightest rhythm section this side of Accra, fat analogue basslines, blazing horns, sparkling African and gritty rock guitars with two highly energetic front vocalists, singing in Akan, Hausa, Ga, Pidgin and English.

Key Personnel

Richmond Kessie - lead singer, composer, band leader
Paul Brett - Bassist, composer, co-manager, booking agent
Tobias Sturmer - Rhythm guitarist, backing vocals, composer, co-manager

Production Information

Running time at full length: flexible, max 120 minutes

Suitable for all ages

Light/ medium use of text

Use of live music

Does not require a clear understanding of English or another language

Touring Information

Small to large scale show (variable)

No specific setting required

Number of people on tour: 9- 12

Number of performers on stage: 8- 11

Available to tour year round, max tour length 12 days

Suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

Yaaba Education is the educational branch of Yaaba Funk, formed by the 8 professional music education facilitators in our band. We run a series of interactive, fun and creative music workshops in schools, in adult education and in the corporate sector. We offer a) interactive traditional and contemporary African drumming workshops, b) composition, creativity and improvisation workshops c) singing and story telling d) family learning creative music workshops e) drumming teacher training seminars. For more information please see http://www.yaabafunk.com/YE.html

Company History

Yaaba Funk began in 2006 when a group of musician friends decided to put on a club night where they could play the records that they liked. As drummers who studied and performed West African and Brazilian rhythms they soon brought that joy and energy to these club nights.
Before long a 10-piece band had formed who was getting wild responses to their live shows.
They released their first cd EP in 2008 which was sold at gigs and distributed to DJs and promoters with very positive responses.

In 2009 the band released a vinyl 10” single featuring the original “Nyash; E Go Bite You” and on the flip their version of Alhaji Frimpong’s 1970s Ghanaian classic  “Hwe Hwe Mu Na Yi Wompena”.
Yaaba Funk recorded their debut album which was released in May 2010, with the help of manager Chetna Kapacee, through Sterns Music. Good reviews followed in the Independent on Sunday, Songlines Magazine, fRoots, Blues and Soul, Mondomix, ShookMag and more.

Remixes of the tracks “ E Go Bite your Nyash”(Richard Olatunde) and “Oman Foa” (DJ D) were released in digital format in 2010 by Here and Now Recordings with enthusiastic response from DJs such as Phil Asher, Joey Negro and Seiji and Daz I Kue from Bugz in the Attic.

In 2010 Yaaba Funk headlined Raizes Atlantocos Festival in Madeira, played the party for Yinka Shonibare’s Trafalgar Square plinth at the ICA, and in February 2011 played the main stage at Sauti Za Busara festival in Zanzibar.

2011 sees gigs in Europe and the UK and recording of the band’s second album.

Recent Productions / Tours

Within the last two years Yaaba Funk have played extensively in London and the UK. Some highlights of their live performances are:

2008 – Headlining the main stage at Shambala Festival.
2008 - An African tribute to James Brown, Barbican.
2008- RISE Festival, Finsbury Park.
2008 and 2010 - Bossaphonik,Oxford
2009 - Brighton Festival
2010- Afro Cup. RichMix, London. As part of an African celebration of the 2010 world Cup.
2010- Yinka Shonibare MBE. Performing at the celebration for the artist’s piece on the fourth plinth, Trafalgar Square. The ICA, London.
2010 - Raizes Atanticos Festival, Madeira. Headlining Ghana UK-Based Achievement Award Ceremony,
2010 - Closing Act London
2011 - Sauti Za Busara Festival, Zanzibar. Headlining.

The band have appeared twice on BBC Radio London (DJ Ritu, A World In London);  Resonance FM (African Essence); Norwegian National Radio 2: BBC Radio 3 (Late Junction).