The music styles of Ibeyi
Twin sisters with roots in Paris and Havana
With their second studio album Ash, the duo Ibeyi is quickly becoming one of the hottest acts in world and pop music today. Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz are 22-year-old twin sisters with a new record that explores themes of empowerment, social injustice and endurance, and spirituality that gives a listener a feeling of extreme joy. Check out their single, “Away Away,” off their new album, Ash, above.
Ibeyi has roots in Paris, France and Havana, Cuba. Their mother is a French-Venezuelan singer and their father, a Cuban percussionist and member of the famed Buena Vista Social Club. So their sound is a delightful mix of different styles and sounds, including R&B, hip-hop, and electronica. They even sing lyrics in different languages like English, Spanish, and Yoruba, a language and culture from Nigeria. In fact, “Ibeyi” means twins in Yoruba.
While the sisters might look alike, they each have wildly different personalities, tastes, and influences that shape their music and sound. For example, Lisa-Kaindé is considered quiet and introverted, while Naomi is extroverted and restless. Lisa-Kaindé is a fan of recording artists like Nina Simone, Chet Baker, and Billie Holiday, while Naomi likes music from The Roots, Kendrick Lamar, and Erykah Badu. Their polar styles are what makes Ibeyi’s sound so unique.
“The only way we can communicate without words is on stage,” says Naomi in an interview with Deezer Sessions. “We are looking at each other and we know. When the audience is there it’s easy. When we’re in rehearsal it’s a pain in the ass.”“That’s why it’s a blessing, what we are doing,” says Lisa-Kaindé. “Otherwise we are always arguing. If Ibeyi works it is because we communicate through music and if our relationship works better today than some years ago it’s because we are Ibeyi.”
Ash is now available to listen to on iTunes, Google Play Music, and Spotify. Ibeyi is also currently on tour in North America. Get tickets while you can!
