“Apala is a musical genre, originally derived from the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It is a percussion-based style that developed in the late 1930s, when it was used to wake worshippers after fasting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The rhythms of apala grew more complex over time, influenced by Cuban music. Haruna Ishola (above) is undoubtedly the most well-known performer of apala in Nigerian history. He played an integral role in the popularization of the genre, and incorporating it into fuji music.”

In 1969, Ishola founded STAR Records Ltd with fellow musician I.K. Dairo. This was the first African label owned entirely by its artists.

You can download the entire album here.