Kara-Kata is home to three vibrant performance bands, but our music programming extends far beyond the stage. We are proud to host a community-centered music program that welcomes:
- Novices discovering their musical voice
- Experienced professionals seeking a deeper cultural connection
- Community members who simply love to play, sing, or dance
Through rehearsals, workshops, jam sessions, and mentorship, our program is a living classroom rooted in Afrobeat and other African musical styles. Participants gain hands-on experience with African drums, vocals, percussion, bass, horns, and storytelling, and build confidence, collaboration skills, and community along the way. Programming takes place at the Kara-Kata Africa Village Music Studio, and other locations around the Lower Mainland.
At Kara-Kata, music is not a performance, it’s a practice of belonging.
Kara-Kata Afrobeat Band
More Than a Band, A Family Rooted in Rhythm and Community
The Kara-Kata Afrobeat Band is the soul of the Kara-Kata movement, a musical collective founded on love, inclusion, and the power of cultural expression. Created by Toyin Kayo-Ajayi in 2010, the band began humbly with a drum, a voice, and a message on the streets of Vancouver.
Toyin, a lifelong musician, community leader, and cultural ambassador, first began busking across Vancouver, sharing the vibrant sounds of Afrobeat with anyone who would listen. His rhythms drew crowds, sparked joy, and created space for dialogue and connection. Out of those early performances, the Kara-Kata Afrobeat Band was born, built from the ground up with musicians and community members who were drawn not only to the music, but to the
welcoming, uplifting spirit it carried.
A Community in Harmony
Over the years, the band has grown into a tight-knit musical family. Many members have been part of the group since its inception, and new members continue to join from diverse cultural and musical backgrounds. Together, they share a deep commitment to the Afrobeat tradition, community building, and joyful resistance.
Inspired by the legendary Fela Kuti, Kara-Kata’s sound is rooted in traditional West African rhythms, layered with funk, jazz, soul, reggae, and socially conscious lyrics. Their music carries messages of unity, justice, resilience, and celebration, all while getting people on their feet.
Performances Across BC and Beyond
The Kara-Kata Afrobeat Band has performed at cultural festivals, community gatherings, and grassroots events across British Columbia and other provinces, including:
- African heritage celebrations
- Community wellness and food sovereignty events
- Music and arts festivals
- School and educational programs
- Farm gatherings and harvest celebrations
Every performance is an invitation into joy, rhythm, and belonging, creating spaces where all people, young and old, newcomer and local, can feel seen, heard, and uplifted.
Book the Band
The Kara-Kata Afrobeat Band is available for cultural events, community festivals, school workshops, private gatherings, and more. Whether you’re planning a vibrant celebration or an educational event that highlights African heritage and music, we’d love to bring the energy of Kara-Kata to your stage.
Contact us to book the band or learn more about how we can collaborate with your organization or community.
Kara-Kata Kasowo Kajere
Traditional Yoruba Cultural Music
Kara-Kata Kasowo Kajere is our traditional music ensemble dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people of Nigeria. The group performs authentic Yoruba rhythms, chants, and percussion-driven melodies using traditional instruments such as the talking drum (gangan), shekere, agogo, and more.
This band brings the spirit of Yoruba ceremonies, festivals, and ancestral storytelling to life, creating powerful performances that educate, uplift, and connect audiences to the deep roots of African music and identity.
African Gospel Revellers
Traditional African Gospel Music & Joyful Celebration
The African Gospel Revellers bring the spirit of traditional African gospel music to life through vibrant harmonies, powerful vocals, and soul-stirring rhythms. Rooted in both faith and culture, their performances blend joyful praise with storytelling, movement, and heartfelt celebration.
With multilingual songs and diverse musical styles, the group uplifts audiences with messages of hope, resilience, and spiritual unity, making every performance a moving and memorable experience.
Listen Now
Book the Band
All three bands are available for cultural events, community festivals, school workshops, private gatherings, and more. Whether you’re planning a vibrant celebration or an educational event that highlights African heritage and music, we’d love to bring the energy of Kara-Kata to your stage.
Contact us to book our bands or learn more about how we can collaborate with your organization or community.