Beautiful Nubia and the Roots Renaissance Band is widely regarded as Nigeria’s foremost contemporary folk and roots music ensemble. Composer, arranger and bandleader Segun Akinlolu (aka Beautiful Nubia) was born in Ibadan, Nigeria in 1968. He studied veterinary medicine at the University of Ibadan and worked for 8 years in that field before becoming a full time artist. In 1997, he adopted his curious stage name in homage to the exploits and glory of ancient Nubia. A year later, he formed a backing group of young musicians to which he gave the name The Roots Renaissance Band. In 2010, he founded the EniObanke Music Festival (EMUfest), a multi-city annual festival of folk and roots music. Often hailed as a “Prophet”, “Philosopher-musician”, “King of Melody”, etc., Beautiful Nubia makes original music built on rich folkloric traditions and native wisdom but the message is universal in thrust and theme.