Onipa’s Tapes of Utopia is a reimagination of mixtape culture that blends analog tones of Afrobeat, Highlife and Soukous with Afrofuturism, rap, and electronics, evoking the days of African cassette tapes sold on street markets.

ONIPA - Tapes of Utopia - London-based Afrobeat+ (Boomerang Records)

Tapes Of Utopia brilliantly showcases Onipa's crossover appeal, full of danceable grooves alongside politically astute lyricism. The legend Tony Allen features on 'Chicken No Dey Fly', 'Porridge' rallies against those who "Lie to the poor people", 'Tami' is a psychedelic exploration, while 'Mokole' features the MOBO award nominated Ghanaian rapper M3NSA - each track from the mixtape bristles with future-facing experimentation whilst giving nods to the heroes of the past. The mixtape has received support from NPR, CLASH, Le Monde, Cerys Mathews (BBC 6 Music), Jess Iszatt (BBC Radio London), Jazz FM, Tom Robinson (The BBC Introducing Mixtape, BBC 6 Music), Matt Wilkinson (Apple Music 1), Songlines, Resonance FM, The Line of Best Fit, The Independent Arts, Pan African Music, Radio Nova, RFI & FIP. Onipa was born out of a deep collaboration between long-time friends K.O.G. (Kweku of Ghana of KOG and the Zongo Brigade) and Tom Excell (MD, guitarist and writer of acclaimed jazz / soul afrobeat pioneers Nubiyan Twist). The 5-piece live show features KOG on vocals, balafon and percussion, Tom on guitar, percussion and electronics, Dwayne Kilvington (Wonky Logic) on synths and MPC, Joe Henwood (Nubiyan Twist) on barritone sax & electronics and Finn Booth (Nubiyan Twist) on drums.