There are artists who follow trends—and then there are artists like Eli Fola, who shape them. A Nigerian-American sound visionary, Fola transcends genre and geography with his unique sonic identity: Yoruba Tech Soul. Fusing the ancestral pull of Yoruba rhythms with the pulse of electronic music, classical sophistication, and jazz’s improvisational heart, his work defies boxes and offers instead a musical experience that feels both rooted and revolutionary.
As a composer, saxophonist, DJ, and visual artist, Fola creates immersive worlds, not just songs. His live sets—layered with analog instrumentation, visual storytelling, and Afro-diasporic spirit—don’t just entertain, they transform. Through his independent label Tech Afrique, he’s not only creating space for his voice, but uplifting others in the BIPOC and Afrofuturist art scenes. What you experience in an Eli Fola performance is a manifestation of both the past and the future—a cultural bridge lit up by rhythm, spirit, and soul.
In this special Tigre Sounds interview, we dive into the mind and music of a boundary-pushing artist who reminds us that tradition and innovation can dance in the same room.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Your signature style, Yoruba Tech Soul, seamlessly blends AfroHouse, techno, jazz, and classical music. How did your cultural heritage and musical influences shape the creation of this unique sound?
ELI FOLA: Yoruba Tech Soul is a direct reflection of my roots, my experiences, and the sonic spaces I’ve navigated throughout my life. Growing up in Nigeria, I was surrounded by Yoruba traditional music, which carries deep rhythmic complexity and spiritual depth. At the same time, I was drawn to jazz and classical music, fascinated by their harmonic richness and storytelling capabilities. Later, my exposure to electronic music, specifically AfroHouse and techno allowed me to bridge the organic with the futuristic, creating a sound that feels both ancestral and forward thinking. Yoruba Tech Soul is about honoring my heritage while pushing sonic boundaries, blending these influences into a live-hybrid experience that’s immersive and deeply personal.
TIGRE SOUNDS: As a multidisciplinary artist, you’ve successfully bridged music with visual arts. How do these different forms of expression complement each other in your work?
ELI FOLA: For me, sound and visuals are inseparable, they’re both essential tools for storytelling and evoking emotion. My work as a visual artist influences how I construct music, thinking about layers, textures, and movement the same way I would in a painting or film composition. At Tech Afrique, we often merge sound with experimental visual storytelling, creating immersive experiences that take the audience beyond just listening, it becomes a journey of sight and sound. Whether it’s collaborating with filmmakers, incorporating live projections into my performances, or curating multi-sensory installations, I see music as something that extends beyond just the ears, it’s about shaping an entire atmosphere.
TIGRE SOUNDS: The electronic music scene is continually evolving. What trends or innovations excite you the most, and how do you see yourself contributing to these developments?
ELI FOLA: I’m excited by the increasing intersection of electronic music with live instrumentation and organic textures. More artists are blending analog and digital in innovative ways, breaking the mold of what a DJ set or live performance can be. I also love how Afrotech and AfroHouse are gaining more global recognition, with African and diaspora sounds influencing mainstream electronic music. I see myself contributing by continuing to push Yoruba Tech Soul as a live-hybrid experience, where electronic music isn’t just about software and synths, but also live improvisation and storytelling. Additionally, I’m passionate about integrating AI and spatial sound into performance environments to create even more immersive musical experiences.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Your performances are known for their depth and emotional resonance. How do you approach the creative process, and what role does the saxophone play in your compositions?
ELI FOLA: Every composition starts with intention. I think about the energy I want to transmit, whether it’s empowerment, reflection, or celebration. The saxophone is my voice, my most expressive tool. It allows me to bridge the gap between electronic textures and human emotion, bringing warmth and improvisational spontaneity into my sets. I approach music like a painter approaches a canvas, sometimes layering meticulously, other times letting intuition take over. Improvisation is key, especially in live settings where the energy of the audience feeds into my performance. It’s this dynamic exchange that makes every show unique.
TIGRE SOUNDS: In 2016, you founded Tech Afrique, an independent label promoting Afrofuturist ideas and supporting emerging BIPOC artists. What inspired you to create this platform, and what impact do you hope it has on the music community?
ELI FOLA: Tech Afrique was born out of necessity, a space where BIPOC artists, especially those in electronic music, could be seen, heard, and supported. When I started, I didn’t see many platforms that truly centered African and diaspora sounds in the electronic space in a way that felt authentic and forward-thinking. I wanted to change that. The vision was to not only create a label but a cultural movement that merges sound, visual art, and storytelling with an Afrofuturist perspective. I hope Tech Afrique continues to uplift underrepresented voices, foster collaborations across disciplines, and ultimately create a more inclusive and expansive future for electronic music.
TIGRE SOUNDS: Looking ahead, what new projects, collaborations, or musical directions should we keep an eye out for?
ELI FOLA: I have some exciting projects on the horizon! I have a record with Ape Drums from Major Lazer, which brings together my AfroHouse/tech roots with his dancehall and electronic influences. I’m also expanding my live show, integrating new performance elements that fuse music with visual storytelling. There are also some exciting collaborations in the works, as well as new Tech Afrique releases.
Eli Fola is more than a musician—he’s a cultural architect, crafting a sonic language that speaks across continents, disciplines, and timelines. His music moves you, yes—but more importantly, it awakens you. Whether he’s blending AfroHouse with live sax or curating immersive Tech Afrique experiences, Eli’s artistry invites us into a world where tradition meets technology, and spirit meets sound.
Don’t miss the opportunity to catch this unique musician live in Miami as ZeyZey transforms into a global soundscape on Friday, April 25th with Eli Fola and Gia Fu as part of Sonidos de Miami, powered by Estrella Damm. Grab your tickets here.
All photos by Julio Guzman.
