First Nigerian Grammy award winner "Sikiru Adepoju

 SIKIRU ADEPOJU: 

The First Nigerian Grammy Award Winner and the Journey of a True Yoruba Drummer

Sikiru Adepoju is a celebrated Nigerian percussionist renowned for his expertise in traditional African rhythms and world music. Born on November 10, 1950, in Eruwa, Oyo State, Nigeria, Adepoju hails from a long line of Yoruba drummers. His father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju, began instructing him in the family craft from an early age, continuing a heritage that traces back generations. Every male in the lineage bore the prefix "Ayan," a Yoruba title reserved for hereditary drummers.

“I was born into a family of drummers. I am not an Ayantojubo (a drummer by accident). I am Ayandoke (an original drummer),” Sikiru stated, emphasizing the depth of his cultural and familial identity. For the Adepojus, drumming is not just a trade but a legacy—one that is innate rather than learned.

Early Life and Resistance to Drumming

Despite his natural talent, Sikiru initially resisted pursuing music professionally. He had witnessed the financial hardships and poor societal treatment experienced by his father and grandfather and sought other means of livelihood. After his mother’s death, he relocated to Lagos in 1974 with hopes of becoming a shoemaker. Still, drumming found him at every turn—sometimes through unsolicited requests at his workshop, sometimes through mere chance.

By 1976, Adepoju had accepted his destiny. He started performing with various local bands, including those led by Yomi Israel, Ade Olusayo, and Professor Adelowo. These early gigs were often unpaid, with musicians relying on audience donations. Eventually, he earned a place in the bands of notable figures such as Iya Caroline and Yemi Kuti.

Rising Through Nigeria’s Music Scene

Sikiru’s break came when he joined Sir Shina Peters' band, a new project following Peters’ split from Segun Adewale. Despite initial stability, internal disagreements, particularly around money, led to a dramatic falling out. Sikiru left the group following a heated altercation with Peters. Disillusioned with music once again, he briefly became a ticketing agent with Nigeria's road transport union in 1982, earning significantly more than he did as a drummer.

Nonetheless, music remained his calling. He soon joined Commander Ebenezer Obey’s Inter-Reformers Band after being recruited by Simon, the group’s band captain. With Commander Obey, Sikiru toured across Nigeria, Europe, and the United States in the mid-1980s. Despite issues with irregular payments, Sikiru remained grateful for the exposure and opportunities the band provided.

Transition to the International Stage

In 1985, Sikiru joined Orlando Julius Ekemode’s band on a tour to the United States. What began as a three-month engagement became a permanent relocation. After initial logistical issues and internal disputes, the group settled in California, and Adepoju immersed himself in the growing African music scene in America.

It was in the U.S. that he connected with Babatunde Olatunji, the legendary Nigerian drummer and educator. Through Olatunji, Sikiru met Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. This encounter marked a turning point in his career. He joined Hart’s Planet Drum ensemble, contributing to the 1991 Grammy Award-winning album Planet Drum, which won in the Best World Music Album category—the first Grammy in that category.

He won another Grammy in 2009 for Global Drum Project, alongside Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, and Giovanni Hidalgo.

Global Collaborations and Influence

Sikiru Adepoju’s international collaborations span genres and continents. He has worked with Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Airto Moreira, Bola Abimbola, Chief Ebenezer Obey, The String Cheese Incident, and others. He has also been involved in groups like the Global Village Ceremonial Band, SpiritDrum Festival, and Muruga Booker’s ensembles.

Adepoju has showcased his versatility on numerous instruments, including the talking drum (his signature), konga, djembe, and various shakers. He often emphasizes the distinction between the gangan (the longer talking drum used traditionally by elders) and the kanango, the smaller version often confused with the former.

Legacy and Leadership

In 2003, he formed his own band, Afrika Heartbeat, and released the album Ijinle Ilu (“Genuine Drumbeats” in Yoruba). In 2009, he launched Sikiru Adepoju and Heart Beat, a new ensemble that included musicians like Douglas Serrant and Peter Fujii. His music seeks not just to entertain but to preserve Yoruba musical heritage and expose global audiences to the richness of African percussion.

Sikiru has lived in the United States since the mid-1980s but remains deeply connected to his Yoruba roots. He has made it his mission to represent authentic African drumming on the world stage, combining technical mastery with a deep spiritual and cultural message.

Today, Adepoju stands as a cultural ambassador, an innovator, and a living bridge between African traditional music and global contemporary sound.