Enoch Nana Yaw Oduro-Adjei, known as Trigmatic, has praised Ebo Taylor’s significant contribution to the Afrobeat genre. While Nigeria’s Fela Kuti is often credited with creating Afrobeat, he drew substantial inspiration from Ghana, particularly from musicians like Ebo Taylor.
In an interview with Prince Benjamin on Class 91.3 FM’s Class Morning Show, Trigmatic shared his admiration for Ebo Taylor and the story of their collaboration on the song “Ghana Yoo.”
Meeting Ebo Taylor
Trigmatic recounted their first meeting at Felabration in Nigeria, where they performed together. He later visited Taylor in Saltpond and performed for him, expressing his deep respect by presenting him with a citation during Osagyefo’s Night.
Afrobeat Legacy
Trigmatic emphasized Taylor’s pivotal role in the Afrobeat genre, noting that international artists like Usher have sampled Taylor’s music. He expressed a desire for more local recognition and sampling of Taylor’s work, reflecting a sentiment of pride in Ghanaian musical heritage.
Amapiano Collaboration
Trigmatic discussed his innovative approach to their collaboration, deciding to infuse Amapiano elements instead of sticking to traditional Afrobeat. He highlighted the involvement of South African artist S’villa and production team Epic Minds in reimagining Taylor’s song “Atwer Abroba.”
Upcoming Release and Performances
The new song is set to release in the first week of August, with an exclusive preview already playing on Class FM. Trigmatic also announced his performance at The Hague African Music Festival on July 28, inviting fans to join him.
Ebo Taylor’s Influence
Ebo Taylor, an influential figure in African music since the 1950s, has worked with Highlife legends like CK Mann and Pat Thomas. His friendship with Fela Kuti began in London, and his work has inspired many, including international artists like Usher, who sampled Taylor’s “Heaven” in “She Don’t Know” featuring Ludacris.
Ebo Taylor, now 88, continues to be a monumental figure in African music, celebrated for his innovative contributions to the genre.