Nigeria's Mystery Man: Luaka Bop Asks 'Who Is William Onyeabor?'

Luaka Bop announces the release of 'Who Is William Onyeabor?'

Nigeria's Mystery Man: Luaka Bop Asks 'Who Is William Onyeabor?'


A Chuck Norris of tunes? A music-maker chock full 'o Rodriguez-like legends and belovedness? Does that level of mystery-meets-funk exist in Nigeria? Today's epic bit of news from Luaka Bop makes clear the honor points to electro-funk originator William Onyeabor. The David Byrne established label made magic happen, after five years of effort, by obtaining (the first label to successfully do so) the rights to thirteen tracks from Nigeria's elusive master of synth and good vibes.

Who Is William Onyeabor? (set for an Oct. 15th release) will hold answers as well as make insane indie-meets-legend history. We hear Luaka is in talks with what seems like all of the creative world for potential after-the-fact collabs. We also know that Four Tet and Caribou are huge Onyeabor fans, and it seems the whole of indie music has fallen for the mysteryman as well. A list of jawdropping appearances set for the project is sure to ensue, but while we await Luaka has shared an already epic slice of electrofunk/afrobeat from WB. Give "Good Name" a listen and grab a download by entering your email below.

​Photo illustration by Kaushik Kalidindi, Okayplayer.
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