Antibalas

Antibalas, a name derived from the Spanish word for "bulletproof," is a prominent Brooklyn-based ensemble renowned for its modern interpretation of Afrobeat. The band draws significant inspiration from the pioneering sounds of Fela Kuti's Africa 70 and Eddie Palmieri's Harlem River Drive Orchestra. While firmly rooted in the Afrobeat tradition, Antibalas masterfully weaves in elements of jazz, funk, dub, and improvisational music, enriched by traditional drumming techniques from Cuba and West Africa.

The group was established in 1998 by Martín Perna under the name "Conjunto Antibalas." Their debut performance took place on May 26, 1998, at St. Nicks Pub in Harlem, an event curated by artist Xaviera Simmons. In the ensuing months, the ensemble coalesced around a core of eleven musicians, diligently crafting a repertoire of original compositions. Guitarist and producer Gabriel Roth played a crucial role in these early stages, penning several foundational songs and overseeing the recording and production of the band's first three releases.