Grammy winner, Lekan Babalola out with new single

Nigerian percussionist, Lekan Babalola, is set to whet the appetite of his teeming African fans with the release of a new single entitled: Mr. Lakaye.

The release will coincide with the launch of his multi-city tour tagged: Ebo Tour, which kicks-off on June 17, at the Somerset Festival, England.

Mr. Lakaye was produced by Will Angelero, a New York/ United Kingdom-based Producer, and has Lekan Babalola on the co-producer’s credit roll.

Lekan Babalola’s voice booms in Yoruba over a bouncing tune enriched with infectious electronic elements and complemented with his signature percussion sound.

According to the two-time Grammy Award-singer, the song is dedicated to Ogun, the Yoruba icon of iron, while the title is inspired by the deity’s Oriki (praise).

In addition, Mr. Lakaye will also be the sound track to the musician’s new art installation in honour of late American jazz artiste, John William Coltrane.

His management Temple Management Company (TMC) said,  Mr. Lakaye is available on all digital stores to all the fans of the Grammy Award winner.

Speaking about his inspiration for the new works, Lekan Babalola explained: “I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, into a Yoruba family as custodians of Yoruba tradition of Ogun, Oro, Obatala and Ifa. My family taught me first hand Yoruba art and culture. Ogun is the patron of my father’s family, The Babalola of Ajibesin compound at Ile-Ogbo, Aiyedire Local government, Osun State.”

Lekan Babalola is one of Nigeria’s most accomplished musicians and has twice won the Grammy Award, which is the Holy Grail of Nigerian music. He won it for the first time in 2006 for his work on Ali Farka Toure’s in the Heart of the Moon, receiving credit on three songs. He won a second Grammy in 2009 for his work on Cassandra Wilson’s album, Loverly.