Beloved afro-instrumentalists, The Compozers, celebrated 10 years of excellence with their unforgettable performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday.
A Night With The Compozers was a monumental show that solidified their role as pioneers in the world of afro-fusion and live music; it was definitely a night to remember.
The London-based Ghanaian collective is made up of Charles “Biggz” Mensah-Bonsu and David “Melodee” Ohene-Akrasi on the keys, Nana “Pokes” Ntorinkansa on the bass guitar and Steven Asamoah-Duah on the drums.
The trailblazers have performed behind many of the most successful names in the industry, including Burna Boy, Asake, J Hus, Sarkodie, Tiwa Savage and Ed Sheeran to name just a few.
But as their triumphant career has continued to unfold, they’ve easily cemented themselves as icons in their own right. Headlining this show at the Royal Albert Hall was a testament to The Compozers’ impact on the landscape of afrobeats, Black British music and beyond. They stood tall in their legacy and embraced their journey, celebrating a decade of excellence and a success story that continues to skyrocket.
As the lights went out before the show began, the energy in the air of the sold-out auditorium was palpable. Fans had travelled far and wide to one of London’s most renowned music venues to indulge in the rich soundscape created by the group. The setlist was bursting with classics, both old and new, traversing genres and leaving fans with no choice but to dance until their feet hurt and sing their hearts out.
The stage was graced with a selection of other musicians, including saxophonists and a gifted instrumentalist playing the talking drum, alongside a dancing gospel choir and even surprise guest appearances from JayO and Gabzy. The bass, the keys, the brass, the tracks and the vocals made for an unmatched atmosphere.
The show started out in the realms of hip-hop, with The Compozers bursting onto the stage in bedazzled jackets glimmering under the bright lights. The crowd erupted as the collective played fan favourites from across the eras, from Kanye’s “Touch The Sky” and Jay Z’s “Show Me What You Got” to Pop Smoke’s “Dior” and Lil Uzi Vert’s “Just Wanna Rock”. An early standout performance came in the form of the legendary “All Of The Lights” elevated by their magic touch.
They also explored some classic dancehall and reggae, covering all bases from “Zim Zimma” and “No Games” to “Shabba Madda Pot”, “Talibans” and “Drift”. And of course, the collective felt truly at home when the set turned to afrobeats, gracing fans with countless timeless hits and paying homage to a number of household names, not least Wizkid, Davido, Asake and Burna. And then what better way to wrap up the show than with amapiano?
Amidst the musical excellence, The Compozers made sure to go heavy on the theatrics, with dancers, sparks flying from guitars, smoke machines, strobe lights and visuals flipping between musicians and elated fans in the crowd – the activity on and off stage was both audibly and visually fantastic.
Overall, A Night With The Compozers was the perfect celebration for a decade of unforgettable music memories. And the only way is up from here as the stars announce their upcoming headline show at London’s OVO Wembley Arena next year, scheduled for 12th October 2024. Make sure to cop your tickets and in the meantime, soak in their iconic music sessions for brand new GRM Radio, featuring exhilarating collaborations with the UK’s biggest artists.
The band continue to be a force that makes fans proud of their culture, heritage and the music we’re blessed to experience. As The Compozers said themselves in their final words before the Royal Albert Hall show came to a close: “We do what we do to inspire.” And they’re doing it well.