Attica Blues (band)

Attica Blues
Genres	Trip hop
Years active	1995–present
Labels	Mo' Wax
Members	D'Afro Tony Nwachukwu Roba El-Essawy

Attica Bluesare a Britishtrip hopband,who made their debut releases on theMo' Waxlabel. Taking their name from anArchie Shepp album,the band have also provided remixes forUltra Naté,Sneaker Pimps,Silent PoetsandDJ Krush.

History

The group began life in 1994 when producers D'Afro (aka Charlie Dark, born Charlie Williams) and Tony Nwachukwu first met up. D'Afro had previously founded London's Urban Poets Society collective but the duo later became Attica Blues. While trying to sell some Japanesehip-hoprecords, D'Afro met up withMo'WaxfounderJames Lavelleand was offered a spot on his Mo'Wax labeldespite never having made music before.The duo began recording their first single alone but when a local student, the Egyptian-born Roba El-Essawy, visited the studio during the recording for their debut single, D'Afro and Nwachukwu decided to ask her to join them. The band released their first single in 1995 and their debut album in 1997.

El-Essawy was married to painterChris Ofilifrom 2002 to 2019.

El-Essawy released her debut solo release under the name MidnightRoba in 2021. The album, titledGolden Seams,was written and produced by MidnightRoba and self-released to her Bandcamp page.

Attica Blues have in recent years been back in the studio and are teasing a comeback with a third studio album.

Discography

Albums

• Attica Blues(Mo' Wax, 1997)
• Test. Don't Test(Columbia, 2000)
• Attica Blues Present Drum Major Instinct(Ex:treme, 2001)

Singles

• Vibes, Scribes 'N' Dusty 45's EP(Mo' Wax, 1994)
• "Blueprint" (Mo' Wax, 1995)
• "3ree (A Means to Be)" (Mo' Wax, 1997)
• "Tender" (Mo' Wax, 1997)
• "Oh La La La" (1998)
• "What Do You Want?" (2000)

External links

• Charlie Darkon Andrew Meza's BTS Radio