This is what fueled Lagos’ dance floors in the ’80s.
British imprint Soundway records has just released Doing it in Lagos: Boogie, Pop & Disco in 1980s Nigeria, a sprawling new compilation that uncovers rare tracks from the country’s unexplored early ’80s club scene.
With synth-boogie sheen and disco roots, the sound looked towards American cues to create something distinct from the Afrobeat that came before it.
Not much has been written about this moment in Nigerian dance music, but an informative new interview with Soundway boss Miles Cleret provides a good primer. Read it it here.