Really appreciate my sister Nina Parks for keeping me on my toes and sending me sounds. She reminded me about what a friend at Beggars had given me a heads up about a few months ago – the French-Cuban duo (and sisters) – Ibeyi. I was so captivated by their video, “River” today. NPR Music says about the sisters:
“This emerging duo, whose name is pronounced “ee-bey-ee”, is comprised of the 19-year-old, French-Cuban twin sisters Naomi and Lisa-Kainde Díaz. They’re the daughters of the groundbreaking Cuban percussionist Miguel “Anga” Diaz, and they root their sound in the Yoruba traditions they inherited from their father. (Their band name actually means “twins” in Yoruba — and twins are both astoundingly common in West Africa and especially prized in Yoruba culture.)”
Check out their video, support their EP “Oya” and hang on for the ride. It’s cool to see XL Recordings signing acts with complex multi-identities like Ibeyi. Because truly, it’s just about the music.