Bola Abimbola was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria; the same city of thirteen million that gave us celebrated African musical pioneers Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade. With a childhood full of singing and drumming in the traditions of Yoruba and West African culture, a career in music came naturally to him. He debuted professionally as a songwriter and producer for some of Nigeria's most successful young artists, including Saheed Osupa, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Rasheed Ayinde and Shina Akani, among others.
In 1997, he released his first recording as a solo act, titled, "Buyanga", which earned him the honor of being named "Artist of the Year" at Nigeria's Fame Awards in 1998. His talents then caught the attention of King Sunny Ade, who invited Bola to tour with him as a guest artist and backing vocalist. Bola appeared with Sunny on his 1999 world tour and at several WOMAD (World of Music, Arts, and Dance) festivals. King Sunny Ade's recording, "Seven Degrees North" (2000), also features Bola's voice.
After touring with Sunny in 1999, Bola relocated to the United States to study and share influence with American musicians. He completed another album titled, "Kekerenke", which was released in Nigeria in 2000, and reflects his love of American Rhythm and Blues. With an enthusiasm for worldliness and all things percussion, Bola has been recording and touring with other like-minded artists, such as Grammy-winning Nigerian percussionist Sikiru Adepoju (Babatunde Olatunji, Mickey Hart) and master conguero Giovanni Hidalgo (Tito Puente, Paul Simon, Eddie Palmieri).
Stylistically, Bola Abimbola is known for his versatility, equally comfortable with traditional Nigerian genres of Fuji, Juju, and Apala; contemporary African popular music like Afrobeat, Afro Soul and Highlife; and also, American Pop and R&B. He has even made successful forays into Reggae, Soca, Soukous, and Electronica. "Fujupop Music"„§, Bola's own eclectic musical style, is a fusion of all of the above, and is one reason why his many fans know him as "Mr. Multy."
Bola currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia and Denver, Colorado. He performs regularly throughout the United States, and has most recently finished a full-length album, "Ara Kenge", due for release in the US and select European countries in February 2006. Bola's many talents shine throughout this album, as he took on the roles of composer, arranger, vocalist, backing vocalist and percussionist.
"Ara Kenge", described by reviewers as "unique and stylistically diverse", and "fresh and full of simmering intrigue", is sponsored by American owned Fast Horse Recordings - http://www.fasthorserecordings.com. "Ara Kenge" draws from the best of Bola's traditional music experience, and merges it with contemporary styles and recording techniques. It features a cast of diverse, talented and noteworthy musicians, rich vocal harmonies, traditional Yoruba percussion, Afrobeat groove, and a touch of pop song structure and production.
