Native Brains

Native Brains is an Afrocentric fusion band from Nigeria.

The group is led by drummer and music producer Michael Oloyede.

After a decade of exploring jazz and western music with various collaborative bands (A-Cubed, 5-YZ Men, NNB) and as a sideman (Lagbaja, Kaline, Ayetoro, Chinaza), Michael decided to look inward to the sounds and beats of his native clan, the Yorubas.

The band’s music is a blend of afrobeat and funk/pop built on highly rhythmic Yoruba sounds. Some of the songs are instrumentals with improvisations and sparse vocals while the majority are with strong Yoruba and English lyrics.

The band is made up of as many as 10 members in varying settings. They each maintain busy schedules as sidemen, producers and solo artists. Core members are Tobi Stephens (Keyboards), Raphael Zosu(bass), Samuel Bolton (percussion), Taiwo Arije (Vocals), Damilola Leha (Trumpet) and Ademola Adekeye (Saxophone).

The band has so far released three singles under the name “Michael Oloyede & Native Brains” with the latest “Bragado” and in the studios working its maiden album due for release later this year.