Antibalas: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

There just aren't many bands like Antibalas. These are jazz players making dance music: Their music is big and fun, and their guiding spirit is Fela Kuti, the brilliant big-band leader and Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer. Afrobeat is a musical style featuring nearly endless songs, mixing funk and jazz, grooves and riffs, with the rhythm carried by not only the drums, but everyone. Everyone - horn players, bass players, guitarists - plays rhythm in Afrobeat music.
Antibalas (Spanish for "bulletproof") is a Brooklyn ensemble, and 11 members turned up at the Tiny Desk. Many of these musicians may be familiar to listeners of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Roots, Paul Simon or Public Enemy. Most recently, Antibalas found some fame performing - and some of the members arranging and directing music - for the Tony-winning Broadway stage presentation of Fela!
It's one thing for a big group to make a big sound - and, sure, Antibalas does that - but what stands out is the subtlety of this ensemble; the way the horns weave in and out of each other, sometimes complementing and at other times inspiring and creating musical conversation between players. That extends to all the players, from vocals to guitar. When you start to listen to that conversation and you hear that build in a rhythm, it's so powerful, so full of joy. If they come to your town, drop what you're doing and go see them. Wear dancing shoes.
Set List
"Dirty Money"
"Him Belly Go No Sweet"
Credits
Producer: Bob Boilen; Editor: Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Christopher Parks, Lauren Rock; photo by Ryan Smith/NPR

[@TheMinster63]

I challenge anyone to see them live and stand still. Can't happen. You will dance!

[@just_mari5600]

I moved my leg which I think counted as dancing

[@clacicle]

I saw them in the late 90s in NYC. Everybody and everything moved in that hall.

[@opethatsmyleg]

Just recently saw em in Brooklyn….so good I bought a ticket for the next night. So happy I did, these guys are such an experience. Couldn’t. Stop. Moving.

[@djmfilms1999]

Facts found that out last night

[@5k33k]

Since it isn't already listed, the people performing are: Marcos Garcia - Guitar (With the hat) Martin Perna - Bari Sax Marcus Farrar - Shekere Miles Arntzen - Drums Duke Amayo - Vocals/Percussion Nikhil P. Yerawadekar - Bass Victor Axelrod - Keys (I think, the mask makes it a little hard to tell!) Jordan McLean - Trumpet Timothy J Allen - Guitar (Orange guitar, standing on a chair) Eric Biondo - Trumpet/Trombone Stuart Bogie - Tenor Sax

[@tekBeatz01]

Fela's spirit lives on...this is Antibalas, and they're awesome!

[@mikeeliades2596]

Love them great band

[@stephenzener819]

a band made for gyrations, joy and getting one in the mood vibes along with the great music and performance as well. Seen them in Toronto a number of times. Always a great night. Long live Afrobeat in the singular.

[@BrianVBower]

Antibalas rocks. Saw them in an open air concert in Miami Beach and they were amazing! See them if you can.

[@elyduran1426]

Lucky u went to mami am in Virginia 😫

[@gloverelaxis]

I saw them in Perth after having been a huge fan for a few years. Was absolutely blown away to discover the drummer was so young and white lol. Such a sick live show.

[@wendellmoore9299]

lord have mercy. one of the best groups ive heard in a long time.

[@ja6975]

Lol

[@lhsanchezo]

If you like this type of music, check out Newen Afrobeat... very talented musicians as well!

[@musicalfriends]

Straight up Fela vibes!!! I can't stop dancing!!

[@deeplybrown]

This is SO GODDAMN GOOD.

[@gainthesummit]

Saw this band play recently in Denver and now I'm hooked. Such awesome, fun music. I love it

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

Really glad I came across this video and band. This group has infectious rhythms and grooves. Thank you! I will be following this group for sure. :0)

[@dustyblue2ify]

awesome band to see live and dance your soul spirit!

[@Moletastic69]

So good!!!

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

Fantastic!

[@mattmiller4917]

Won two free tickets to see these guys this weekend at the BK Bowl. Thanks Antibalas!

[@damwuyi]

Fela Lives!

[@ChocolateMilkFilms]

Homeboy in the far back rockin' those 3D glasses.

[@chee-chee9916]

Way Kool! Can't wait to see them at the NJ Montclair Jazz Festival 2023

[@BenBenCaro]

If you guys like the sound, check out Chico Mann, Superhuman Happiness, EMEFE, all other projects by different members of the group. These guys are crazy talented.

[@MrPacoTacoBurrito]

tiny desk concerts are simply amazing!!!! always great music! thanks for introducing me to new bands! cheers xx :)

[@luifranco1457]

I’ve loved these guys since I bought a 45 from the Daptone Records website several years ago. I put my own spin to the backing vocals on Dirty Money when I sing along to it, and sing “NO JODAN!” in the Chorus. If you speak Latin American, you’ll know it makes a lot of sense 🤣

[@HakeemOlayinka8674]

fela kuti lives

[@glenkersul8536]

I can't begin to describe how much I love this. Greatness.

[@migdel]

Blindado and no bullshit can come through-bulletproof. Antibalas, yeah!!!

[@igorpetrowski85]

Thank you

[@leeleeleelee420]

just so good

[@biquinetto]

These guys are brilliant! Cheers for uploading!

[@francissolito3002]

i love these guys!

[@johnniebee4328]

These guys are really good

[@johnk8356]

Pure gyration(grove). I hail una. Your hands will not fall

[@teaandcakeordeath]

...wow. this was great. i've never heard of this group before. another reason to love the tiny desk series!

[@gabrielemancino6513]

yes tiny desk it's a beautiful inention

[@AnitaStewart405]

AWESOME!

[@MoPoppins]

SUPER tight band....amazing!

[@urilevy1]

I instantly like this

[@GeneralMetalz]

I'm working on a paper in a library...and I almost got up and started singing the chorus to Dirty Money

[@chi2797]

How awesome💓✌️

[@Pudersepp]

Sounds like Fela aight!

[@igorpetrowski85]

Merci

[@josipmickovic2572]

C u on Saturday in Dublin 🙌🏽

[@cheeseburgerphone]

YES!!

[@Hofodikfo]

This shit needs so many more views.....

[@leguybond]

guauuuu cómo suena esto!!! genial!

[@trista4congress827]

NIIIICEEE.... About the closest thing we're gonna get to FELA KUTI !!!

[@igorpetrowski85]

Thanks

[@santiagoloiteguiytellez283]

Felaaaaaaaa

[@originalveghead]

Whoever does the sound engineering for these needs a payrise.

[@marinanunez6599]

Love it!

[@MrHSCHAE]

Somehow had to think of them while watching the fanfare ciocarlia (Roma brass band) tiny desk. Very different stylistically but both are dope. Fanfare is a tad on the crazy side, still I'd very much recommended checking them out!

[@Liserhoops]

Yeah, we were thinking maybe he is in the witness protection program or something. :) Love, love love this Tiny desk concert.

[@SteveSmith-kc8rn]

White dudes punchin’ waaay above dey weight class

[@mikeeliades2596]

I've this band

[@mikeeliades2596]

Love

[@leelu2975]

"He miss Road"-Fela kuti, First track inspirated.

[@DerekSoyemi]

Sounds like "chop & quench" i.e jeun koku!

[@21kamren]

Dance............

[@youpumpertube]

Haha! Beyond cool.

[@AVibeSupreme]

Badass

[@gabrielemancino6513]

invention!!

[@222blaider]

k kalimba amazing

[@dmld.9015]

please get seun kuti on here

[@ieg2193]

I had no idea that Adrien Brody played the trumpet.

[@thearki-vist6050]

Fela Obviously 😅

[@gloverelaxis]

Who knew Adrien Brody was such a mean trumpeter?

[@TheSnowsbeauty5]

Sould of called it Candy in All Flavors;)

[@Liquid_Alchemy]

"You're going to need a bigger studio.." - Martin Brody (Jaws)

[@marcel_holdys]

more cowbell

[@exhainca]

More cowbell!

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

I like the 2 office workers in the lower corner pretending they are still working at their desks... as if.

[@elyduran1426]

😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣😭😭😂🤣 o my god the way they sing tho

[@juanalba4698]

Didn't know Mil Mascaras was a musician

[@cavc94]

He looks like El Santo.

[@wilg.9513]

afrobeat

[@norakat]

That mask looks really hot to wear.

[@MaximilanCrossEyed]

Adrien Brody on Trumpet Lol

[@caseynewsom2500]

tooTiny Desk

[@HectorCarr]

Didn't know Adrien Brody took up trumpet

[@elyduran1426]

Hold up hold up why is that guy wearing a mask 🙃

[@mazenfahmi7083]

He knew it was coming 8 years ago. That guy must be Bill Gates!!!

[@eugeniadiazramos257]

I think he's Victor Axelrod Ticklah

[@spaskolev6932]

The percussionist with his mask can perfectly fit to Slipknot :)

[@klibensmichelet5001]

This should have many many more views!! Check out London Afrobeat Collective if you like this, pure fire!

[@juanalba4698]

I have Alien Dawg rolled, anybody wanna hit?

[@alexandrepereirafranca6878]

ué bixiga 70 grimgo....................

[@Lisa_Evers]

Is there a story behind that face mask that guy is wearing?

[@crysbarrios3]

It's the mask of a famous Mexican wrestler/actor back in the day, El Santo!

[@FungusyHam]

i wanna know the story of the dude with the mask

[@chimainwere7306]

The best pidgin English in the world? Nigerian!!! He's trying, but.....

[@trista4congress827]

No ladies, eh? :(

[@TheCiaMKultra]

So Dirty Yo!

[@98laserman]

Their percussionist looks like he's a tribesman

[@igorpetrowski85]

Thanks