Antibalas

Antibalas Bio

Antibalas (Spanish for bullet-proof or anti-bullets) is an Afrobeat band, formed in 1997 in Brooklyn, New York by Martín Perna. Their music style followed the language and architecture of afrobeat but has a few elements of funk, jazz, improvised music, dub, and traditional drumming from West Africa and Cuba. The band, which was formed by Martin Perna, has been active since 1998. They released their first album, titled “Liberation Afrobeat Vol. 1,” in 2000.

The 12 piece ensemble is among the world’s top afrobeat groups, and its members influenced countless musicians. The ensemble performed their first show in May 1998 at St. Nick's Pub in Harlem, New York. In the beginning, the group was composed of Perna and members Gabriel Roth, Michael Wagner, Del Stribling aka Binky Griptite, Victor Axelrod, Fernando Bugaloo Velez, Anda Szilagyi. Lagos native Amayo joined later and became lead vocalist.

They also toured England twice and played at different venues in New York City. The second album, titled “Talkatif,” was released in 2002. They have played in more than 35 countries, including Australia and Japan. In 2010, they released a new EP, titled “Rat Race,” in an arrangement of “Rat Race” by Bob Marley. In August 2012, the band appeared on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, where they performed their single “Dirty Money.” In 2020, the band released its full-length album, “Fu Chronicles.”

Antibalas members also participated in the Tony-Award-winning Broadway musical FELA!, and penned original music for the show. The band is known to collaborate with diverse groups and artists, including Jovanotti, Mark Ronson, Santigold, Angelique Kidjo, My Morning Jacket, Zap Mama, The Roots, Medeski, Martin and Wood, David Byrne, and St. Vincent.