A master of the talking drum, Adepoju comes from a musical family from Eruwa in western Nigeria. He and his brothers Saminu and Lasisi were taught drumming very early by their father, Chief Ayanleke Adepoju, whose very name, Ayan, means “descended from drummers.” While still in his teens, Sikiru toured with and recorded several albums with the Inter-Reformers Band, the band of one of the pioneers of Afro-beat, Nigerian Juju artist Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey.

The Rhythm Devils Concert Experience (2008 two-disc DVD)

Sikiru Adepoju won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album in 2008 for his contribution to the title album of Mickey Hart’s Global Drum Project at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.