Siji

A singer who is self-taught on piano, bass and percussion, Siji is a versatile musician. His music reflects his Nigerian heritage yet is also modern and contemporary. Born as Adesiji Woyinka to Nigerian émigrés in London, Siji grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and in London. He was inspired by the political music of the Afrobeat innovators, including Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade, and by the soul and R&B greats of America. Although his parents preferred he become a doctor or a lawyer and he earned a Masters degree in Engineering Product Design, Siji found it impossible to stay away from music. He became part of the London music scene in the 1990s. Siji released an EP called Facets and a single (“My Lover’s Embrace”) on his Ivy label in 1996. Those recordings gave Siji a strong reputation in the London underground. Moving to New York in 2001, Siji performed in local clubs, wrote songs, and produced recordings for Salif Keita, Cesaria Evora, Vinia Mojica, Wunmi and Alix Alvarez. In 2004 he recorded his first full-length CD, God-Given, for the BBE label. It features his original compositions, vocals, traditional Yoruba instruments and rhythms, and an up-to-date sound. Siji calls his music Afrosoul, mixing together aspects of Afrobeat, soul, R&B and jazz.