William Onyeabor
William Onyeabor was a mystery, a self-made enigma who crafted some of the most futuristic, boundary-pushing Afro-funk records of the late '70s and early '80s. A Nigerian synth pioneer with an almost prophetic sense of groove, he disappeared from the music world just as his legend began to take shape. While his entire catalogue is a treasure trove of idiosyncratic brilliance, Atomic Bomb (1978) and Body & Soul (1980) stand out as defining moments of his artistry.
On Atomic Bomb, Onyeabor refines his electronic alchemy. The title track is a six-minute slow-burner that builds on a propulsive bassline, swirling synths, and his deadpan, near-monotone vocal delivery. The song's apocalyptic imagery—“I’m gonna explode like an atomic bomb”—is both literal and metaphorical, a reflection of Onyeabor’s own volatile genius and the sociopolitical tensions of the era. Tracks like “Better Change Your Mind” carry a similarly heavy message, urging Africa and the West to rethink their relationships in the face of exploitation and corruption. It’s dance music with an existential weight, the perfect fusion of deep funk and cosmic dread.
If Atomic Bomb is confrontational, Body & Soul is seductive. The album trades some of the previous LP’s urgency for a smoother, hypnotic quality. The title track is a lush, groove-heavy meditation on love and spirituality, where Onyeabor’s synths shimmer like neon reflections on water. “I Want to Be Free” feels like a mission statement—both personal and universal—set against an effortless electronic pulse. Here, Onyeabor channels liberation not just in lyrical content but in the music itself, allowing his analog synths to breathe and evolve in a way that still sounds ahead of its time.
Both albums showcase Onyeabor as a singular force—one part Fela Kuti, one part Giorgio Moroder, yet entirely his own. He was a man who made music on his own terms, with no regard for commercial expectations. And then, like the atomic bomb of his song, he vanished. Today, his music endures, a sonic time capsule from an artist who seemed to exist outside of time altogether.
Pre-Order Luaka Bop's 2025 re-presses of Atomic Bomb and Body and Soul HERE