Amayo Unveils “Madam President”: A Tribute to His Mother and Kamala Harris

Amayo, Nigerian-born musician, composer, and former Antibalas frontman, has released his first solo single, “Madam President.” The song draws inspiration from both his late mother, Nigeria’s first female bank manager, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Released on August 22, 2024, the same day Harris delivered her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, “Madam President” reflects Amayo’s admiration for strong female leadership. The track, infused with Afrobeat rhythms, was composed and performed by Amayo, who also illustrated the single’s artwork.

To record the track, Amayo reunited with past collaborators, including members of Antibalas and TV on the Radio, in a New York City studio. The recording session spanned just two days, and “Madam President” is set to be part of an upcoming album.

Amayo explains that the csall and response song’s Nigerian Ibo chant, “Hayimba,” translates to a rallying cry: “Who’s ready?” with the response “Hayin,” meaning “I am,” and “Hayshobay” encouraging, “Let’s go!” The lyrics are a call to action, declaring, “Fight for Kamala and she’ll fight for us! When she wins, freedom wins!”

Amayo hopes the song will motivate listeners to vote in the upcoming election. He describes the song as uplifting and joyful, designed to inspire dancing, gathering, and political engagement. He references former President Bill Clinton’s description of Harris as the “President of Joy” and echoes Michelle Obama’s sentiment: “Do something!”

A prominent figure in global Afrobeat, Amayo was the creative force behind Antibalas for 23 years, contributing to the band’s first-ever GRAMMY nomination for the 2020 album Fu Chronicles, which he also illustrated. Raised in Nigeria, Amayo arrived in the U.S. at 17 on a football scholarship to Howard University, where he majored in medical illustration.

Musicians: Duke Amayo on keyboards, voice, conga, claps, composer & writer; Giancarlo Luiggi on shekere, claps & backing vocals; Dende Macedo on agogo bell; Raja Kassis on guitars; Vince Chiarito on bass, engineering and mixing; Tosin Aribisala on drums; Jordan McLean on trumpet; Stuart Bogie on saxophone; David Smith Smoota on trombone; and Eddie Venegas on violin and trombone.

Amayo said: “I grew up listening to Fela Kuti as a young boy living in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria, just minutes from Kalakuta. My uncle took me to see him perform when I was 12, and I’ve been hooked ever since.”

He added: “James Brown came to Nigeria when I was 12 years old. I climbed a tree outside the National Stadium to watch the show, hearing, ‘Say it loud. I’m black & I’m proud.’ Little did I know that years later I would be opening up for him in NYC as the frontman of Antibalas!”