Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on January 2014

The son of a Yoruba chief, Keziah Jones was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. He was sent to a British public school at 8 as part of his grooming to join the Nigerian elite. But music seized his imagination, and by his late teens, Jones was on the streets of London, forging a new sound that fused rock, funk and jazz with Nigerian rhythms. Discovered in 1991, he became the subject of worldwide fascination with the release of Blufunk is a Fact. Five years since his most recent disc Nigerian Wood, Jones returns to Japan wearing the outfit of a mythical Afro superhero in the album and graphic novel, Captain Rugged.

Feb 6, 7 & 9:30pm; Feb 7, 7 & 9:30pm, ¥6,500-8,500. Billboard Live. Nearest stn: Roppongi. Tel: 03-3405-1133. www.billboard-live.com.