Femi Precious - Lockdown Blues Sessions (2020)

Over in London, England, there is a budding new bluesman playing the old African American deep roots blues. He’s a Nigerian émigré who has lived in London since 2011, by way of Italy, where he got his first guitar and music lessons by his supportive Italian stepfather. His real name is Olorunfemi Precious Akinmayowa, his perfect stage name is Femi Precious, a cross-cultural musician if ever there was one. You gotta love it!

He started off learning on a nylon-stringed classical guitar in the music school his step-father encouraged him to attend in Italy. He then moved up to a Yamaha steel-string. Like many kids his age he got into hip-hop and rap, developed an infatuation for reggae and Bob Marley, all the while quietly digging into the 12-bar blues and slide guitar. His Italian family had drawers full of 1960s blues recording and so he connected with Albert Collins, B.B. King, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker. By now the lad can play and he has garnered international attention among blues fans through YouTube (Yes, social media is good for some things!). He is still working a day job, but things are looking bright for the young bard. He stated, “I believe that I am still a beginning artist. New to be known. Not yet a professional.”