The music ofAfrica Unplugged harkens back to the African diaspora. The Greensboro-based group channels jazz and funk, while still maintaining roots in West African traditions.
Atiba Rorie started the group in 2011 to educate folks about the connections between West African music and other genres. Today he still uses the band to demonstrate West African songwriting and the qualities of instruments like the djembe. Host Frank Stasio talks with Rorie about the origins of the group and how its music has been received in North Carolina.
The group also performs live in studio with Rorie on vocals, djembe and electric guitar; Lamar Lewis and Elisha Harris on percussion; William Darity on vocals and electric guitar; and Butler Knowles on electric bass. Africa Unplugged performs Saturday, Sept. 2 at Beyu Caffe in Durham at 7 p.m.