A Review of the New Traditional African Dance Form, by Uiagalelei

If you have not heard of the band, DJ Uiagalelei 247 is a Nigerian-American group that has made quite a splash in the traditional music scene of Los Angeles. Formed in 1985 by vocalist/songwriter Omari Muhammad and guitarists Ali Baba and Oloduryee Ejele, the band quickly became famous because of their cool jazz-influenced sound. The band’s name is taken from the two names of its founders: “Omari” is a nickname for Omari Muhammad and “Ejele” is for Oloduryee Ejele. Their native tongue is Tigrinya, which is native of Nigeria. They were popularized by Nigerian musicians such as legends Leona Lewis and Akon; they reached moderate success with their hit album “A Boy From Los Angeles.”

When it comes to traditional African music, there are few groups that can compare with DJ Uiagalelei 247. This group is responsible for some of the more memorable music from the traditional African Diaspora. Because of the group’s unique sound, it appeals to audiences from all walks of life and is popular even today in the United States. Because the vocals are in both English and Tigrinya/ Igbo, the audience will be able to understand the story of each song and feel connected to the culture. This is a huge advantage over other traditional African groups that rely solely on their own native tongue.

Today, the group is relatively popular in the United States, although they continue to experience great popularity in Africa. In fact, it has been reported that the number of their fans has grown rapidly in the past decade. In fact, by Uiagalelei is beginning to take the place of many African-American rhythm & blues artists that have fallen out of favor due to the advent of rap and hip-hop music. This is not to say that they have failed altogether, but rather that their influence has become much diminished in recent years.