The Fusion Master Returns With New Album

Having made a name for himself as the renowned percussionist of the Grammy award-winning band Jamiroquai, Sola Akingbola is now stepping into the spotlight as an artist in his own right with his latest project ‘How Should I’.

The album promises to be a stellar showcase of Sola’s diverse talents as a composer and performer. Sola’s love for music runs deep, hailing from Yorubaland in Southwestern Nigeria and growing up surrounded by the pulsating beats of his family’s culture. But it was his time in London that opened his mind to the eclectic influences of the city, shaping him into the dynamic artist he is today.

‘How Should I’ is a beautiful blend of Sola’s love for the Greek classics and the poetry and music of the Yorubas, which results in an artistic interpretation of the evolving interaction between cultures. The album’s lead single ‘Touch My Soul’ is a tour de force, showcasing Sola’s impressive percussion skills and his ability to transcend cultural boundaries through music. But How Should I is not just a fusion of cultures, it is also a deeply personal project for Sola.

The title track ‘How Should I’, originally written for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamlet, features the soulful vocals of award-winning actor Sheila Atim, adding a cinematic flair to the album.

The album, to be released in two parts, will also include tracks such as the energetic percussion-driven ‘Olukumi’, whose music video was filmed at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, and the contemplative ‘My Brother’s Keeper’. With part two set to drop in the Spring of 2025, Sola’s fans can look forward to even more musical delights. It’s no surprise that Sola has received numerous accolades for his musical talents, including the best Film and TV Score BMI Award for two consecutive years for his work on the hit sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola, which attracted over 5 million viewers for its latest season. In between his work with Jamiroquai, Sola has also composed scores for renowned theatre productions, including the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre. Growing up on the streets of Portobello Road, Sola could only dream of the success and recognition his music would bring him.

And now, with his second studio album ‘How Should I’, Sola is once again taking centre stage and proving that his talents know no boundaries.

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