Amayo, the former frontman of Antibalas for over two decades, has announced his solo album debut: Lion Awakes will be released January 17. Inspired by his Kung Fu practice as a Lion Dancer - and honoring his indigenous Nigerian Edo customs and heritage - the 5-track album of fierce afrobeat energy unfurls over a series of movements that tell a story where myth meets reality. The first single, ‘Black Magic Sister,’ honors his grandmother, Iyalawo (my Black Magic Shaman/real-life medicine woman). The world is right side down. Only through honest collaborations can we find equilibrium.
The ‘Lion Awakes’ album offers medicinal words and songs, layered in a new sound with fresh angles to deepen the experience of this timeless music reimagined story/symphony where Myth meets Reality.
Raised in Nigeria, Amayo came to America to attend Howard University on a football scholarship at age 17 and majored in medical illustration. He also conceptualized, composed, and hand-illustrated his first Grammy-nominated album, ‘Fu Chronicles’ nominated for the, ‘Best Global Music Album of the Year’ (2020). It was where Kung Fu meets Afrobeat, the starting point of this next chapter of Amayo’s life’s work as a Jow Ga certified “Sifu” and anointed traditional Nigerian Orisha “Awo.”