Riot in Lagos

song by Ryuichi Sakamoto

Sakamoto is a Japanese composer, synth pioneer, songwriter, producer, and actor who has pursued various styles as a solo artist and a member of the famous Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Sakamoto's career began in the late 1970s, working as a composer, arranger, and producer, mostly in rock, jazz, and classical artists.

His first solo album, "Thousand Knives of Ryuichi Sakamoto," was quite a success. Sakamoto pioneered the Japanese electro with this LP. The experimental approach gave birth to some most unique pieces of early electronics. A perfect example is "Plastic Bamboo," infused by jazz and sound-wise with early French-Italian sound design was a mark of pioneering the Japanese electrofunk. His interest and weird approach to sound synthesis didn't stop there.

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A couple of years later, he released the album "B-2 Unit" on the Japanese label "Alfa." It included the track "Riot in Lagos," which was an essential piece in developing electro and hip hop music.

"Riot In Lagos," released in 1980, is today one of the most appreciated electronic music pieces ever. Short sequences, funky bass, smooth well-produced stereo drums almost give you the impression like you are listening to Kraftwerk from some other dimension, although the sound design on this piece is unique on so many levels.

If you didn't know the year when it was released, trust me, you wouldn't guess it.

This piece, even today, sounds fresh and production-wise; it's like it came out yesterday.

Spiced with "moogish" pads and free-floating arpeggio, tight, crisp, digital-sounding synths with a funky, electro-ish breakbeat makes this one a necessary gem for any electro and avantgarde collector.

The programming on this track has one thinking how this was even possible before digital sequencers.

A pure jazz-funk experience with otherwordly sound design made it like the music from the future.

Released also as single, primary as a short version on a limited edition UK label "Island Records" in 1980, then a year after on a German label "Rocktopus."

Its final release was on "Island Records" with central publishing by "Virgin Music" and EMI Records' support.

Sakamoto envisioned the beats and sounds of electro. Early electro and hip hop artists, such as Afrika Bambaata and Mantronix, were influenced by the song. "Riot in Lagos" was later included in Playgroup's compilation album Kings of Electro in 2007, alongside other significant electroproduction.

There is no way anyone can listen to "Riot In Lagos" and detect any age as this track remains a timeless journey, 50 years after its release.