Sikiru Adepoju, a renowned Nigerian percussionist, has made history in the music world by winning two Grammy awards.
Born into a musical family in Eruwa, Nigeria, Adepoju was introduced to drumming at a young age by his father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju. Coming from the Yoruba Ayan lineage, known for master drummers, Sikiru honed his skills early on.
As a teenager, he toured and recorded with the Inter-Reformers Band, led by Nigerian Juju music legend, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. His talents caught the attention of musicians worldwide, leading to collaborations with some of the best in the industry.
Adepoju’s big break came when he joined Mickey Hart’s Planet Drum, a group that blends percussion styles from different cultures. Their self-titled album, Planet Drum, won the first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album in 1991, making Adepoju the first and only Nigerian to win a Grammy at the time.
In 2009, he was part of Mickey Hart’s Global Drum Project, which won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Adepoju’s journey to global recognition began in 1985 when he moved to the United States to perform with O.J. Ekemode’s Nigerian All-Stars and later joined Babatunde Olatunji’s group, Drums of Passion.
Through Olatunji, he met Mickey Hart, the drummer of the iconic rock band, Grateful Dead, leading to a longstanding collaboration.
