Biography
The Parisian duo Ibeyi—pronounced ee-bey-ee—pairs twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, whose sound fuses left-field pop and alternative R&B with Afro-Cuban traditions. Their name, drawn from Yoruba, means “twins.” Born in Cuba and raised chiefly in France, they perform in English, Spanish, French, and Yoruba. XL Recordings issued their three albums—2015’s Ibeyi, 2017’s Ash, and 2022’s Spell 31—each receiving substantial critical praise.
Daughters of the late conguero Miguel “Angá” Diaz of Buena Vista Social Club, the sisters lost their father during their teenage years. Their mother, Maya Dagnino, required them to write and perform their own material. While still in early adolescence they began playing locally, first in their neighborhood and soon across Paris. In 2013 XL Recordings head Richard Russell encountered a YouTube clip of them performing “Mama Says,” summoned them to London, signed the pair, and produced their debut while contributing synths. During 2014 the singles “Oya” and “River” appeared, the duo performed on Later...With Jools Holland on BBC 2, and “Mama Says” followed; their self-titled XL debut arrived in February 2015. Between worldwide tours they joined jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist Alfredo Rodriguez on his acclaimed Tocororo album, appeared in the short film accompanying Beyoncé’s Lemonade, graced the cover of Fader, and delivered triumphant shows upon returning to Havana.
Ibeyi released the advance single “Away Away” in June 2017 and the full album Ash that September. The set blends electro-acoustic textures with Afro-Cuban and Yoruba elements while absorbing contemporary influences from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Electronica, Erykah Badu, and Nina Simone. Again produced by Richard Russell, it included appearances by Kamasi Washington, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Chilly Gonzales. Five years passed before their third album, Spell 31, emerged in 2022, previewed by the track “Sister 2 Sister.” Russell handled production once more, with guests Jorja Smith, Pa Salieu, and Berwyn, the last of whom lent his voice to the duo’s radical update of Black Flag’s defiant 1981 punk anthem “Rise Above.”
Daughters of the late conguero Miguel “Angá” Diaz of Buena Vista Social Club, the sisters lost their father during their teenage years. Their mother, Maya Dagnino, required them to write and perform their own material. While still in early adolescence they began playing locally, first in their neighborhood and soon across Paris. In 2013 XL Recordings head Richard Russell encountered a YouTube clip of them performing “Mama Says,” summoned them to London, signed the pair, and produced their debut while contributing synths. During 2014 the singles “Oya” and “River” appeared, the duo performed on Later...With Jools Holland on BBC 2, and “Mama Says” followed; their self-titled XL debut arrived in February 2015. Between worldwide tours they joined jazz composer and multi-instrumentalist Alfredo Rodriguez on his acclaimed Tocororo album, appeared in the short film accompanying Beyoncé’s Lemonade, graced the cover of Fader, and delivered triumphant shows upon returning to Havana.
Ibeyi released the advance single “Away Away” in June 2017 and the full album Ash that September. The set blends electro-acoustic textures with Afro-Cuban and Yoruba elements while absorbing contemporary influences from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Electronica, Erykah Badu, and Nina Simone. Again produced by Richard Russell, it included appearances by Kamasi Washington, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Chilly Gonzales. Five years passed before their third album, Spell 31, emerged in 2022, previewed by the track “Sister 2 Sister.” Russell handled production once more, with guests Jorja Smith, Pa Salieu, and Berwyn, the last of whom lent his voice to the duo’s radical update of Black Flag’s defiant 1981 punk anthem “Rise Above.”
Albums
Spell 31
2022
Recurring Dream: Music from the film How To Stop A Recurring Dream
2021
Ash
2017
Ibeyi
2015
Oya
2014
Singles
