The love NYC drummer Miles Arntzen holds for the music of Nigerian legend Fela Kuti is so great it can't be contained by just one band. Arntzen, who drums for well-known funksters Antibalas, also started yet another 10+ member afrobeat-inspired group in EMEFE. Formed a year before his joining Antibalas when he was still as student at NYU, EMEFE celebrates the livelier elements of afrobeat, focusing less on the political criticism and more on the joyful escapism and funky grooves that get listeners' butts shakin' and feet movin'. Recently, the entire band crammed into the KEXP studio to perform live on Wo'Pop with Darek Mazzone, who declared them (jokingly) as "the great grandchildren of Fela". You'll be as stunned as he was when you hear just how tight these young musicians are. Watch the session now:
Full Performance:
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