Bossaphonik presents Onipa

The December Bossaphonik event is on Friday 15th and features the return of a past highlight from 2022, the explosive Afro-futurist phenomenon that is ONIPA! Onipa’s sound is an African-electronic fusion which takes central African soukous and Afrobeat from the golden 1970’s era, merged with synthesisers and effects to produce the sound of a live Afro-futurist experience. Onipa means “human” in Akan, the ancient language of the Ashanti people from Ghana. It’s a message of connection through collaboration – from Ghana to the UK, our ancestors to our children. Onipa brings energy, groove, electronics, dance and fire! Fronted by the irresistible charisma of vocalist/percussionist K.O.G. the band are currently touring their high octane live show to promote their second full-length LP “Off The Grid,” the band’s first release on Peter Gabriel’s illustrious Real World label. "Off the Grid" is a journey that joins the original story of dance rhythms from Africa to electronic dance music of today's clubs and festivals, connecting African folklore and storytelling to rap, jazz and hip hop. From Accra Market cassette tapes to London pirate radio stations, Malian blues to UK jazz, the twin creative forces behind ONIPA — Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist) and Kweku Sackey (K.O.G & The Zongo Brigade) together with Finn Booth (Nubiyan Twist) on drums and Dwayne Kilvington (a.k.a. Wonky Logic) on synths - have built a life-affirming and highly original world of sound. The new album also features an impressive cast of collaborators including Moonchild Sanelly, David Walters, Dele Sosimi and Theon Cross. “A red hot cocktail of afro-futurist grooves which take us from Accra to Johannesburg, passing by Kinshasa and other planets" - Le Monde (France's biggest daily newspaper) “An effervescent, life-affirming Pan-African tour” - Mojo Magazine "Riotous beats and irresistible delirium" - The Guardian Check the stunning video for the first single "No Commando" from the album. Shot around Accra in Ghana - where Onipa co-founder K.O.G's heritage lies - and featuring the vocals of David Walters, it’s the first taste of the new release. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyW5C3ExrsA Check out a We Out Here online performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDBm2lVjr_c Check out the new Off The Grid album on bandcamp: https://onipa.bandcamp.com/album/off-the-grid Following Onipa is a Bossaphonik club session, and as in last months event we have special guests Kwassa Kwassa DJs. Made up of Tom Hilton and Simon Starling – the pair celebrated 10 years of their superb tropical parties in Oxford this November. In their breathtaking repertoire of vintage music from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the dancefloor will be heated to sounds of - Afrobeat * Highlife * Soukous * Funk * Soul * Reggae * Ska * Salsa * Cumbia * Calypso * Hip Hop * Bomba * Soca!!! Friday 15th December Bossaphonik Presents Onipa + Kwassa Kwassa DJs Cowley Workers Social Club, Between Towns Road. OX4 3LZ (Near Templars Square Shopping Centre. Regular buses 1,5,10 from City Centre go up Cowley Road til 3am, stopping opposite the venue) 8pm–1:30am Band starts at 9:30pm **Now greater savings on advance tickets** £13 advance (wegottickets.com) / £15 student ID on door / £18 door Hope to see ya there!