Onipa means “human” in Akan, a language spoken by the Ashanti people in West Africa. This project was born out of a long-standing collaboration between two musicians: One calls himself K.O.G.: A songwriter, singer and virtuoso instrumentalist utilizing djembe drums as well as a percussive lunch tray. Born in Ghana but based in Sheffield, K.O.G. appears in numerous UK-based projects: house music, afrobeats and dancehall etc. The other member of the duo is Tom Excell, British guitarist, producer and songwriter also known from soul / jazz / afrobeat pioneers Nubiyan Twist – as well as collaborations with his own musical heroes Mulatu Astatke and Tony Allen. As Onipa, they have recorded a handful of EP’s: Bubbly afro-futuristic rhythms combined with magical soukous and hilife guitars, as well as influences from mali blues, South African township music, ragga, dancehall, Oumou Sangare, Konono No.1, Kokoko, Flying Lotus, Ebo Taylor, William Onyeabor and many more of our favorites. We Be No Machine, their debut album, will be released this spring.