HE WAS INSPIRED by the desire to uplift and promote the rich indigenous culture of Africa in music. Now, reports reaching M&M have it that the UK fans of contemporary Afro-juju/Fuji singer, Rokan Adekola a k a King Rokan, are calling for more vibes from him.
The US-based crooner, who has transformed musically from prince to king, had performed in the UK in the summer of 2010. That show, it was learnt, has made him gained popularity among UK-based Afro-juju lovers. Though the artiste’s songs are mostly rendered in the Yoruba language, it has a soulful touch which has positioned him well among other music lovers. Rokan has performed at very important events around the world including; the opening ceremony of the 1996 Olympics and Black History month.
He has entertained three presidents; President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1993 with Bolu and the Roots of African Percussion and two former Nigerian presidents; Gen. Abdusalemi Abubakar in Washington DC and President Olusegun Obasanjo in Ohio.
He performed live at the grand opening of Animal Kingdom in Disney world, Orlando, Florida. Those who knew Rokan in the ‘80s will not be surprised by his performance knowing that he became the choir master of Eternal Order of Cherubim & Seraphim Church, Alpha ET Omega Ilasamaja in 1983. And in 1986 he moved to the branch at Esuola Okota as music director. But in 1994, Rokan relocated to Atlanta where he started the band King Rokan & The Royal Crew in 1997 and was the first Nigerian to start a live band in Atlanta.
In 2001, when he released “Rock On”; he scored another first as the first Nigerian artiste to release an album and a video the same day in America. He dropped ‘Showtime’ in 2003 and ‘4GveDem’ in 2005. They were followed by ‘Thank U God’ in 2008 and ‘Oba Tide’ in 2010 which was produced by Yinka Ayefele and Puffy Tee. King Rokan’s eclectic style has given him the opportunity to perform in over 30 states in America
