Sola Akingbola
Percussionist for the funk band Jamiroquai.
Sola Akingbola is a Nigerian-born percussionist and member of the English acid jazz and funk band Jamiroquai. He joined the group during their early years and contributed to their distinctive sound, which blends funk, acid jazz, and world music elements. Akingbola's percussion work appears on several of the band's albums, including their best-selling funk album in history.
Quick Facts
- Landscape
- yes
- Origin
- London, England
- Genre
- Funk · acid jazz · soul · disco · house · R&B
- Years Active
- 1992–present
- Label
- Acid Jazz · Sony Soho Square · Work · Epic · Mercury · Virgin EMI · BMG
- Current Members
- Jay Kay / Derrick McKenzie / Rob Harris / Matt Johnson / Paul Turner / Valerie Etienne / Hazel Fernandez / Romina Johnson / Sara De Santis / Fabio De Oliveira
- Past Members
- Nick Van Gelder / Stuart Zender / Toby Smith / Wallis Buchanan / Sola Akingbola / Simon Katz / Nick Fyffe / Nate Williams / Howard Whiddett / Elle Cato / Nick Tydeman
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Sola Akingbola became a member of Jamiroquai, the English acid jazz and funk band formed in 1992 and fronted by vocalist Jay Kay. The band was prominent in the London-based funk and acid jazz movement of the 1990s. Akingbola's percussion contributions were part of the group's evolving sound, which built on acid jazz in early releases and later drew from rock, disco, electronic, and Latin music genres.
Reader's Guide
Sola Akingbola's role as a percussionist in Jamiroquai placed him within one of the most commercially successful UK acts of the 1990s, third only to the Spice Girls and Oasis in sales. The band's third album, Travelling Without Moving (1996), received a Guinness World Record as the best-selling funk album in history, and its music video for 'Virtual Insanity' won Video of the Year at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards and a Grammy in 1998. Akingbola's percussion work contributed to the band's signature blend of funk, acid jazz, and world music elements, helping to define their sound during their peak years. The band's albums Emergency on Planet Earth (1993), Synkronized (1999), and A Funk Odyssey (2001) all charted at number one in the UK, and their single 'Deeper Underground' (1998) also reached number one. As of 2026, Jamiroquai had sold more than 26 million albums worldwide.
Did You Know?
- Sola Akingbola was a member of Jamiroquai, an English acid jazz and funk band formed in 1992.
- The band's single 'Deeper Underground' (1998) reached number one in the UK singles chart.
- Jamiroquai were the third-best-selling UK act of the 1990s, after the Spice Girls and Oasis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sola Akingbola?
Sola Akingbola is a Nigerian-born percussionist best known for his work with the English acid jazz and funk band Jamiroquai. He joined the group during its early years and helped shape their signature blend of funk, acid jazz, and world music rhythms.
What role does Sola Akingbola play in Jamiroquai?
He serves as the band's percussionist, adding rhythmic layers that complement their funk and acid jazz sound. His playing helped define the groove-oriented texture fans associate with the group's live and studio performances.
Where is Sola Akingbola from?
Akingbola was born in Nigeria, a background that aligns with the world music elements woven into Jamiroquai's overall sound. He went on to become part of the English band during its formative period.
Which Jamiroquai albums feature Sola Akingbola's percussion?
His work appears across several of the band's studio releases, including what is recognized as the best-selling funk album in history. His rhythmic contributions form a consistent thread through their catalog.
Why is Sola Akingbola important to acid jazz fans?
As a core member of Jamiroquai, his percussion helped cement the band's place at the intersection of funk, acid jazz, and global rhythms. Fans of the genre often credit his groove as a key ingredient in the band's distinctive feel.
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