Konkombe: The Nigerian Pop Music Scene

From the award-winning series “Beats of the Heart,” which influenced David Byrne, Paul Simon, and many other artists of its time, this documentary dives deep into the incredible music being made in Nigeria in the late 70s, fueled by the hugely influential Festac 77 festival. Starting with wandering minstrels and urban buskers, English documentarian Jeremy Marre illuminates how globally popular and influential styles like juju, Afrobeat, and highlife evolved in step with Nigeria’s social, political, and spiritual currents. Artists featured include icons Benjamin “Kokoro” Aderounmu and I.K. Dairo, future global stars King Sunny Adé and Fela Aníkúlápó Kútì, and the Lijadu Sisters, a then up-and-coming duo of outspoken feminist twins who would move to New York City as political refugees a few years later, and today are regarded as queens of the era.

Join us for a special live Q&A with Yeye Taiwo Lijadu following the 7:30pm screening. Lijadu will introduce the 9:30pm screening.

This event is part of a global series of screenings happening in Lagos, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles, celebrating the Sisters and the reissue of their music, and coinciding with their October birthday. Presented in partnership with beatsoftheheart.tv, Numero Group and NativeMag.