Fra! is an eclectic band from Accra, Ghana. They perform a wide range of sounds, melodic phrasings and progressive roots based on Afrocentric heritage, delivering danceable and feel-good music, incorporating genres such as Afrobeat, high-life and afrofunk.
The name ‘Fra’ comes from the Akan language (Ghana) and it means mix. Fra! won the 10th edition of Casa África’s Vis-a-Vis project. As a result, the band toured Spain in July 2019 where they performed at some major world music and jazz festivals like Etnosur, Pirineos Sur, Canarias Jazz Festival and many more.
In 2019 Fra! was a highlight at the Visa for Music showcase in Morocco, ACCES and Stanbic Jazz Festival Ghana.
In 2022, Fra! was selected to perform at influential world music showcase WOMEX.
The lineup in 2022 included Christian Osele on lead vocals; Joshua “Virgen” Boateng on drums, lead vocals; George Gogoe Ashirifie on bass, backing vocals; Emmanuel Selorm Dornyoh on guitar, backing vocals; Ishmael “Ayala” Kugblenu on percussion, backing vocals; Martin Nyarkotey Adjartey on keyboards, backing vocals.
Fra! released the albums FRA!Tternity (2018) and The Journey (2019) as well as a series of singles:
Happy (2020), Africa Rise (2020), Odo Yewu (2021), 30 Billion (2021), Lobi (2021), I Go Dey 4 (2021)
Discography:
FRA!Tternity (2018)
The Journey (2019)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.