Omar Ka has the look of a star--handsome features, penetrating eyes, and a proud, confident demeanor. But what got Afropop Worldwide's attention when we met him at WOMEX 2000 in Berlin was his strong singing voice and excellent band, simply called Fula Band. Fula Band crack out the bracing rhythms of the Fulani people, blending traditional and modern instruments in tight, energized grooves with strong vocal hooks.

Ka made the classic rural-to-urban journey from the ancient cultural riches of his Fulani village in Senegal to the outskirts of Dakar where he performed traditional music and first tried his hand at composing. Finding he had a knack for writing songs, Ka began to think about putting a band together. His quest led him to Gambia in1991, where he soon formed Fula band with a group of other Senegalese musicians. Ka had bigger dreams, though, and in 1996 he left his cohorts and went to Holland. He experimented, collaborating with European musicians and recording his first CD, H.O.W. in 1997.

Apparently, Ka found that the crossover experience didn't measure up to the real thing, for he soon called on the original members of the Fula Band, brought them to Holland to record, and set about establishing a performing career. Fula Band's fine debut CD, Mbaaranaabe/Nomad came out in 2000, and that year, the band performed 20 shows in Europe. Based on the strength of their debut recording, Omar Ka and Fula Band are definitely an act to watch as new millennium Afropop begins to take shape. Contact info:
Daniela Macikova
Schiebroekselaan 12 a
3037 RM Rotterdam
The Netherlands
Tel/fax: 00 31 (0)10 465-8150
Email: d.macikova@worldonline.nl