“So what is ‘Fro-Beat’?” The answer lies with Emmauel Edili aka DaCapo, one of Nigeria’s top rappers, musicians and producers who coined the term. “ ‘Fro-Beat’ is a unique blend of hip-hop mixed with the different rythms of Afro-beats “, he explains. “ More than ever before we see the universal appeal of hip-hop, and ‘Fro-Beat’ delivers it from an African perspective. “

A native Nigerian, Edili spent his early childhood in Brooklyn, NY, where his passion for hip-hop developed. Upon his return to Nigeria, he continued to fine tune his skills.  He would eventually become one of Nigeria’s top selling artists with over half million units sold in Africa alone. And in 2007 he was nominated for 2 Stella awards for his Gospel album “Simply DaCapo”, showcasing his ability to rap and play the piano at the same time !!.  

With his new album “ Where I’m From” , not only does Edili blend the sounds of the free world and third world , but uniquely, he is able to draw from experiences of living extensively in both cultures. “By living in both places, I understand the similarities and the differences. That allows me to manipulate an American metaphor, for example,  and paint the picture of what’s really going on in a third world country,  while presenting it in a way that you can identify with it.“ And he does just that as in the album’s title track, banging out the hook, ‘……Where I’m from, your crib is a mansion, get a crib like that, we’d be dancin’. Where I’m from your hood is a dream, what we call the American Dream ‘.  “I’ve been through and learned a lot so I’ve got a lot to share with whoever chooses to listen.” Look out ya’ll, The African Boy is comin’!!