Adegoke Odukoya, better known as Ade Bantu, was born on July 14, 1971, in Wembley, London.
He is a Nigerian-German artist, producer, and activist. Ade Bantu is the frontman of the band BANTU and the founder of the popular music festival Afropolitan Vibes in Lagos, Nigeria.
He is also the creative force behind the Afro-German group Brothers Keepers. In 2005, BANTU received the esteemed Kora Award for their album “Fuji Satisfaction.”
FACTS ABOUT ADE BANTU
- FULL NAME: Adegoke Odukoya
- DATE OF BIRTH: July 14, 1971
- PLACE OF BIRTH: Wembley, London, England
- NATIONALITY: British, Nigerian
- SPOUSE: Aramide
- OCCUPATIONS: Musician, Record Producer, Activist
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Ade Bantu, a musician of mixed heritage with a German mother and a Nigerian father, was born in Wembley, London.
In 1973, his family relocated to Lagos, Nigeria, where he was raised by his mother, Barbara, and father, Adeleke, until his father’s death in 1986.
After this tragedy, Ade moved to Germany with his mother and three siblings. He is the elder brother of musician Abiodun.
CAREER
In the late 1980s, Ade Bantu, who performed under the stage name “Duke T,” became a member of the German hip hop group Exponential Enjoyment.
They released several notable singles and albums, including the multilingual hip hop album “Chop or Quench” in 1993.
Later, he formed the band “Weep Not Child” and worked on various albums that tackled social issues such as racism.
In 1996, he co-founded the band BANTU and adopted the stage name Ade Bantu. Their debut album, “Fufu,” was well-received in Nigeria.
Motivated by experiences of racist attacks, Ade founded the Afro-German collective Brothers Keepers, which is famous for their anti-racism anthem “Adriano,” a hit in Germany.
This was followed by more releases and collaborations, including the impactful single “Liebe und Verstand” by Sisters Keepers.
Ade Bantu, a Nigerian-German musician and social activist, is renowned for his contributions with his band BANTU.
In 2005, they received the esteemed Kora Award for their album “Fuji Satisfaction,” which skillfully fused genres such as Fuji, hip hop, Dancehall, Afrofunk, and Afrobeat.
In addition to his musical endeavors, Ade Bantu established the Afro-German collective Brothers Keepers and initiated the popular concert series and music festival, Afropolitan Vibes.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated with numerous artists, released successful albums, and utilized his music to highlight social issues.
Ade Bantu has also made his mark in television and film, appearing in various notable projects.
He was featured in the documentary “Yes I Am,” directed by Sven Halfar, which explored the experiences of Afro Germans.
Furthermore, he and his band made a guest appearance in an episode of the German soap opera Lindenstraße (Episode 710) and appeared in Harry Belafonte’s documentary “Sing Your Song.”
From 2012 to 2015, he served as a judge on the music reality show Project Fame West Africa.
As an activist, Ade Bantu founded the NGO Brothers Keepers e.V. in Germany to advocate for asylum seekers and anti-discrimination laws.
He co-led the Anti Shell campaign and organized the Ken Saro-Wiwa week in 1997.
Recognized for his efforts to combat racism and address social issues, he has spoken at events hosted by prominent figures, including German Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Bantu’s band, BANTU, has been involved in cultural exchange initiatives across various African nations.
He has also taken a stand against racial slurs in music and co-founded BornTroWay, an arts initiative aimed at supporting underprivileged youth in African cities.
PERSONAL LIFE
In October 2014, Ade Bantu made a notable transformation by cutting off his signature dreadlocks, which he had worn since he was 20. In 2022, he tied the knot with his wife, Aramide.