Sila and the Afrofunk Experience: A Benefit for Kenyan Refugees February 2, 2008

Sila And The Afrofunk Experience To Perform A Benefit For Kenyan Non-Profit, Carolina Kibera At San Francisco Independent On Saturday, February 2, 2008.

On Saturday, February 2nd, bring your dancing shoes to the Independent in San Francisco as Sila and the Afrofunk Experience performs a benefit for Carolina for Kibera, Kenya. Nominated for Best World Music at the San Francisco Weekly Music Awards, Sila and the Afrofunk Experience mixes the legendary sounds of Fela Kuti with some tricks gleaned from James Brown and P-Funk. Sila (who sings in Swahili and English) and company create a dancefloor-ready throb guaranteed to move you.

The band not only offers an evening of funk, but a chance to dance for a cause. The band leader, Sila Mutungi, has decided to use this opportunity to raise funds for his homeland of Kenya, which has recently erupted into post-election violence that has claimed the lives of hundreds and the homes of thousands. Proceeds will benefit non-profit Carolina for Kibera, which serves 25,000 people living in Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi. Kibera has been devastated by the recent violence. The organization's program serves the community through a health clinic, a summer youth sports program staffed by volunteers and other programs.

"The political figures need to call for peace and harmony and directly reach out to their supporters to stop the violence. Only Kenyans can resolve this strife by speaking out as a nation against ethnic violence," Sila says

"I am currently working together with Michael Wanguhu, a Kenyan film maker (Hip-Hop Colony), to shoot a music video of a newly written song encouraging peace among Kenyan people and calling on the political leaders to put aside their pride and greed for the sake of the country. I just don't want Kenya to become another Rwanda," Sila adds.

Joining Sila and the Afrofunk Experience will be the Afrobeat sounds of Dj Jeremiah and the Afrobeat Nation (from Liberia) and the tropical beats of Dj Felina.

ABOUT SILA AND THE AFROFUNK EXPERIENCE:

Bay Area dance kings Sila and the Afrofunk Experience (http://afrofunk.net) combine an international vision with dazzling musicianship. Frontman Sila Mutungi rivets audiences with a combination of James Brown's punchy grooves and Fela Kuti's relentless West African swing. Their debut "The Funkiest Man in Africa" blows away listeners with its relentless rhythm and sharp songcraft, but can't prepare you for the band's potent onstage energy. Sila sings of the African experience: the problems he and many others face every day, in a language understood throughout the world. His lyrics and beats reflect the music, the language, the energy, and the spirit of growing up in Africa. James Brown would be proud - East Bay Express

Funk Artist of the Year - Los Angeles Music Awards

Kenyan funk master - San Francisco Chronicle

Africa's James Brown - Oakland Post

Mixing the legendary sounds of Fela Kuti with some tricks gleaned from James Brown and P-Funk, Sila (who sings in Swahili and English) and company create a dancefloor-ready throb guaranteed to move you. -San Francisco Weekly

Guaranteed to keep you glued to the dance floor- San Francisco Bay Guardian

"Embracing his African roots and his love of funk, Sila channeled James Brown for inspiration and six years later, with the help of his renowned cast of bandmates, he's achieved success without having to compromise his heritage (he sings in both Swahili and English) or his musical tastes." - The San Francisco Examiner

Official Website: http://afrofunk.net