Afrikan Simba
Hailing from Nigeria, award winning artist Afrikan Simba is one of the leading MC's in London, having worked with top sound systems such as Jah Shaka, Aba Shanti and Channel One. He has also recorded with the likes of Jah Warrior, Zion Train, Dub Judah & and runs his own ‘Ayamba’ record label, based in Jamaica. Whenever he takes up the mic, whether live or in the studio, a flow of conscious, spiritual and uplifting lyrics are guaranteed.
BIOGRAPHY
Afrikan Simba is the man who came to this world and was originally called Nivai Nduka. Nivai, short for lnimevai, means 'my name shall never perish and Nduka, his family name, means 'life is best" or 'nothing is greater than life'.
Simba became truly involved in the music in his early teens. At the age of eleven, he found himself practicing how to 'toast", first of all mimicking one of the most famous toasters - Daddy U-Roy. After going back to live in Nigeria at the age of 13 his love for Reggae Music grew. He continued to practice toasting and on returning to London three years later Simba met up with friends who were early stages of forming a sound system by the name of Zulu Priest, they gave him the name Simba and he joined them becoming - the DJ!
During the time with Zulu Priest, Simba was introduced to a great musician & producer by the name of Dub Judah. He embraced the young soundmen and introduced them to studio recording. Here Simba took full advantage of the situation and soon showed off his skills. Simba recorded a song entitled 'Give Thanks' which was released on Dub Judah’s label - Dub Jockey in 1992.
1993 & this saw the release of another track – the dance hall hit, 'The Now Generation' , a collaboration with singer, Zemrakh aka Ron Reid. With continuous work both on sound systems and in recording studios, Simba was becoming more known and noticed. Also during 1993 Simba became a firm member and vital component in the Channel One Sound System. From this time to the around 2004 Simba travelled extensively throughout Europe and the UK, also making guest appearances on other sound systems as Simba’s popularity increased, many producers & sound men requested his input in their musical projects.
In early 1994 Simba went to Jamaica, where he met a lot of his past and present day favourite artists and during his time there, he found he was very much encouraged and inspired. Simba returned to England revitalised with new vigour and pace and recorded the ‘Healing of the Nation’ with Zion Train. This was released by China Records on their debut album Home Grown Fantasy in 1995. At that time producer Daddea Harvey had noticed Simba and invited him to work on his sound system Soul II Soul (with Jazzy B) alongside Bibow General, a fellow MC.
In 1997 on his third visit to Jamaica he made new links. One of these was Wayne 'Sleng Teng' Smith, and they recorded ‘Love Cup’ and re-recorded ‘Lioness’, these songs were released on his own label, Ayamba.
Going from strength to strength in 1998, Simba was introduced to Dougie Wardrop from Conscious Sounds and Steve Moscow aka Jah Warrior, two top UK Roots Reggae producers. Simba recorded the track, 'One Roar'. The relationship with Jah Warrior flourished and in 1999, Jah Warrior released another recording 'Patience' on the Jah Warrior Show Case album.
in the summer of 2002 he was the headline act at 4 Degree Festival Reggae, which led to a five-date tour across Spain after being introduced to the band Basque Dub Foundation (BDF), who called on him to perform in Bilbao at the town square of San Francisco alongside reggae and Studio One veteran Earl Sixteen and on the beach in Jore de Mar where he was the headline act.
From this time till now Simba has tirelessly worked with many producers, promoters & sound men in the UK, Europe & further afield showing the people what a truly gifted artist he is at many performances. Simba strives for excellence & has become a well known & recognised artist within the reggae industry as he continues to work on a new album that he has in the pipeline.
