Drawing on a wealth of experiences and numerous global influences, Rex Riddem and Mustafa Akbar – the bandleaders of Nappy Riddem – have conjured up a blend of Hip Hop, Reggae, Funk and Soul that traverses the sonic boom of the African Diaspora. Having both performed and toured with Thunderball and Fort Knox Five, these guys know how to light up a crowd and keep a solid message running through their music.
For their debut album the sounds and rhythms of North America, South America and the Caribbean are passionately twisted with pounding dancefloor beats, snarling guitars, hooky horns and simmering percussion. Mixing themes of global unity “One World Sovereignty,” with street-smart warnings “Even the Devil needs a Bodyguard” and sizzlin’ sex talk “Angle It.” This album covers it all. Joining forces with Rex and Mustafa are musical collaborator and bassist Ashish Vyas of the Thievery Corporation live band and DC hip-hop legend, Asheru, well known as the voice of the “Boondocks” theme song. These men bring their diverse talents to bear on the album, adding musical depth and lyrical complexity.

Nappy Riddem recently retooled their live show into an explosive five piece band that has been playing high profile shows around the DC Metro area, at the world famous 9:30 Club and the 2012 PEX Summer Festival. Having already toured Texas, Colorado and California, Nappy Riddem is now taking their sound out up and down the Mid-Atlantic region.

Rex Riddem and Mustafa Akbar have assembled an all-star band that showcases the unique Nappy Riddem sound fusing together reggae, soul and funk. Tarus Mateen, who has recorded and performed with Outkast, Goodie Mob, Q-Tip and Lauryn Hill holds down the low end on bass guitar. Veteran drummer Jon Modell is no stranger to electronic and hip-hop sounds, having been an integral part of 3LG and now Fort Knox Five. And the Italian sensation Enea Diotaiuti, part of ESL Music and See-I, brings his dynamic keyboard skills to the group.

In the tradition of the great Robert Nesta Marley, Nappy Riddem has put together a fiery album of liberation music laced with dancefloor anthems that seeks to ultimately unite the peoples of the African Diaspora in spirit and music.