From the bush of Africa, Napoleon, Joseph, Issac, Mosses and JJ Sabbah emerge. The African Showboyz hail from Binaba, a tiny village in the northeast region of Ghana, West Africa. This tribal quintet is a unique blend and remarkable experience of African drum, dance, magic and adrenaline. In Binaba, the drum is a cultural symbol in child birthing, naming, marriage and funeral ceremonies, as well as festivities marking the planting and harvesting of crops. Dance is a story told. In Binaba, there is no electricity, nor an opportunity for education, but through sheer determination and an intense respect for humanity; the African Showboyz have bridged borders; mesmerizing and enchanting audiences throughout Africa, France, and Germany.

In 2003, the Sabbah brothers crossed the Atlantic to bring their message of peace and unity to a United States audience at the second annual Floydfest in Floyd, VA. Their youthful talent and magical displays ignited the energetic flow of the festival and ensured a repeat appearance. During their stay in 2004, in addition to Floydfest, the Showboyz toured the U.S. wowing audiences at festivals, churches and schools alike from Virginia to South Dakota and all places in between - at times accompanying Speech, (formally of Arrested Development), opening for Eek-a-Mouse and sharing the stage with Acoustic Syndicate. They have collaborated with Babatunde Olatunji, Femi Kuti, Alpha Blondy, Freddie Meiwey, Ras Kimono and others. The African Showboyz were also featured in Palm Pictures, 1GiantLeap, an extraordinary film document on world culture that was nominated for two Grammies.

When attending a Showboyz performance, prepare yourself for a world class raw-roots experience. From tribal drumming and dance to phenomenal glass eating and mystical fire twirling; from comic routines to African Black Power exhibits, these beautiful young African men entertain all ages with vibrant heart and soul, it's contagious!

A Tribute to Babatunde Olatunji...

Babatunde Olatunji (1927-2003)

"Rhythm is the soul of life."
The whole universe revolves in rhythm.
Everything and every human action revolves in rhythm.
With the spirit of Africa we celebrate the life and passing of Babatunde Olatunji.

Baba Olatunji, worldly known as an ambassador of African culture and father of African music; was born in the village of Ajido, Nigeria in 1927. Olatunji attended village ceremonies throughout his childhood and was drawn heavenly to the performers. Those are the historians. Those are the people who through their songs, you can really write the history of a city, about the movers and the shakers in the city or the people who are legendary, people who are great, people who did good work.

It wasn’t until attending Atlanta’s Moorehouse College in the U.S on scholarship in the 1950’s, did Olatunji relate the drum echo of his past to the situation of his present. America was not what he read about and racial segragation was humiliating. Renting drums, Baba organized and out spoke African cultural activities; offering chants and drum instruction at Moorehouse. With hopes of being an International Diplomat, Baba continued his education in Political Science at New York University. It was in New York at the Radio Music Hall where Baba led 66 orchestra musicians and wasdiscovered by Columbia Records and in 1959 Drums of Passion was released as the first Afro-beat record to hit the mainstream market; and sold over 5 million copies.

Babatunde Olatunji continued his quest to re-introduce authentic African culture worldwide. He traveled across the U.S. with the Reverend Martin Luther King, led Nelson Mandela through the streets of New York and opened for the Grateful Dead's New Years show in 1985. In collaboration with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead, Baba earned a Grammy for the 1991 album Planet Drum. His passion for understanding the nature of human organization coupled his individual capacity has bridged superficial borders of the economic, political and cultural structures. As a traveling teacher of social justice, Baba was active in the African Heritage Preservation and Education of African Culture and called for unity of purpose and active commitment of positive change.

Babatunde Olatunji discovered the African Showboyz in their beginning years and offered grandfatherly direction. Floydfest producer and Across-the-Way Productions founder Kris Hodges traveled to Africa and through telephone, Baba and Kris introduced the African Showboyz to a United States audience at Floydfest in 2003.

After nearly 76 years of healing people with his music, Babatunde Olatunji has left this planet for the unknown. His perception, inspiration, and beauty remain.