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"From Reggae to Bubu," jokes Janka Nabay about the history of his roots with Sierra Leonean Bubu music. Janka had just come from his home in D.C. when we met him at Zebulon to discuss his new releases, tour, and the Bubu Gang vibe. As the story goes, he was performing reggae at a battle of the bands when the groups were asked if they knew any traditional Sierra Leonean songs. Janka performed an off-the-cuff version of an old Bubu tune and the judges went nuts. The rest is Bubu history. Janka recently put out An Letah EP on True Panther and is awaiting his debut full-length with David Byrne's Luaka Bop imprint. Watch him and the Bubu Gang's lightening-fast rhythm section in the video above. And catch them live at these locations below.

JANKA NABAY TOUR DATES

3/14-17- SXSW

*** official showcase is globalFEST on the 16th, 8pm***

3/18 - Denton, TX @ Rubbergloves

3/22 - Boise, ID @ Treefort Music Festival

3/24 - Denver, CO @ Hi Dive

3/25 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown

3/26 - Milwaukee, WI @ Mad Planet

3/27 - Muncie, IN @ The Center Stage

3/28 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Belvedere's

3/29 - Harrisburg, PA @ 29th Stage on Herr