Music
Press
Amadanyo returns with his second album of Afro-pop, the proceeds of which will fund conservation efforts in the Mangrove forests of Nigeria. "Voices..." resonates with the sound of early '90s synthesizers and song tempos that never stray far from a walking 108bpm. As a characteristic of the genre, Amadanyo's melodies and chord progressions radiate with bright colors of optimism.
BRADY GROSCOST
--Seattle Sound Magazine--
Issue#4 - July - 2006 - Seattle Sound Magazine
Discography
"Voices From The Mangrove" released in 2005.
Photos
Bio
Amadanyo - World Music Experience Band, named after lead singer Amadanyo, is a Seattle-based band with a unique style of "High Energy" Afro-Caribbean Rhythms with a bonus variation of ambient flavor style of world music that originated from the ethnic roots of the lead singer, Amadanyo. The band’s music is a unique fusion Afro-pop, Soukous and Reggae and native chants from Amadanyo’s native land of Nembe-Nigeria, located in the Niger Delta Region of Southern Nigeria, in the heart of the second largest mangrove forest in the world, hence the inspiration for the name of Amadanyo’s latest CD, “Voices From The Mangrove,” released in 2005 on A & C Records, Amadanyo's private record label.
Influences: Afro-pop,Soukous,Reggaeton
The Artist:
Amadanyo Oguara II was born on June 30, 1961 in the Nembe Kingdom of Southern Nigeria, West Africa. He is the eighth of ten children born to Emily and Amadanyo (Mathew-Turner) Oguara Sr. The name Amadanyo means “You shall be King.” Oguara is a Benin word, and the name of a prince of an old-time Benin Kingdom. The name was adopted by the Oguara of Nembe, and hence the coined phrase Oba Togu Oguara - “Son Of A King.”
His Music:
Amadanyo is a prolific songwriter, composer, and music arranger. He is a versatile, soulful, and enchanting singer of Afro-Pop (contemporary pop music with an Afro-Hip-Hop flavor) as well as Nembe chants - songs in his native tongue. Amadanyo’s music is a crafty blend of modern-western and traditional African influences that is geared toward reaching a global audience. Amadanyo is also an energetic, creative dancer and showman. Amadanyo not only sings and dances, but likes to combine a theatrical element to his music. Writing songs and adapting them for stage are synonymous for him.
Origins:
Amadanyo began his music career in 1993 producing, managing, and performing with a Seattle-based rap group called Just Us and an R&B group called Project. A CD single titled “Wake Up” performed by Just US was released in 1994. In 1995, the CD by Project titled “Project” was released. After his departure from these groups in 1998, Amadanyo went solo, moving on to mold himself into an afro-pop and world music artist. He has since released an afro-pop demo titled “Amadanyo,” a three-song demo CD (1998) and a newly-released 14-song CD titled “Voices From the Mangrove” (2005).
Label:
Amadanyo owns and operates his own personal record label, A & C Records, which he established in 1993. All CDs he has released have been under this label.
Management:
Amadanyo currently manages and self-promotes but is looking for opportunities to form partnership with capable management or record labels.
Miscellaneous: Amadanyo has writer and publisher membership with BMI since 1994. He is married with three daughters and one son.
Links
