Laolu Senbanjo

Senbanjo was born and raised in Ilorin, Nigeria by Yoruba parents. His father was a lawyer, his mother was a nurse. He grew up performing in his church's choir. While in school he had a music group called Light and Fire which performed original songs and covers.{{cite web|url=https://laolu.nyc|title=News|website=Laolu.NYC|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203172023/http://www.laolu.nyc/|archivedate=2017-12-03 }}{{cite web|url=http://blog.ted.com/tales-of-tomorrow-the-talks-of-session-10-of-ted2017/|title=Tales of tomorrow: The talks of Session 10 of TED2017|date=28 April 2017|publisher=|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170501195549/http://blog.ted.com/tales-of-tomorrow-the-talks-of-session-10-of-ted2017/|archivedate=1 May 2017 }}

Senbanjo studied law at Nigeria's Law School and, despite wanting to drop out during his second year, received his degree in 2005.{{Cite news|url=http://99u.com/articles/54726/how-visual-artist-laolu-senbanjo-overcame-parental-objection-and-made-the-world-his-canvas|title=Laolu Senbanjo: How an unlikely Nigerian artist landed his designs in Beyoncé's album Lemonade|last=Lara|first=Jacqueline|date=2016-12-01|work=99U by Behance|access-date=2018-01-03|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104073226/http://99u.com/articles/54726/how-visual-artist-laolu-senbanjo-overcame-parental-objection-and-made-the-world-his-canvas|archivedate=2018-01-04 }} He then worked as a human rights lawyer for five years, spending his final three years working at the National Human Rights Commission as a senior legal officer focusing on women and children's rights. Senbanjo travelled to different parts of Northern Nigeria visiting schools and villages to educate men and women about why children should be in school.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2016/11/08/laolu-senbanjo-art-afromysterics.cnnmoney/|title=His art adorns Nike shoes and Beyoncé dancers|first=Jean-Francois|last=Edvige|website=CNNMoney|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170122055947/http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2016/11/08/laolu-senbanjo-art-afromysterics.cnnmoney|archivedate=2017-01-22 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/05/02/laolu-senbanjo-inside-africa-orig.cnn |title=The mysterious body painter behind Beyonce's 'Lemonade' |work=CNN Video |url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025349/http://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/05/02/laolu-senbanjo-inside-africa-orig.cnn|archivedate=2017-11-07 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-34297332|title=Africa Live: Thursday 24 September 2015{{Snd}} as it happened|date=25 September 2015|publisher=|via=www.bbc.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124015415/http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-africa-34297332|archivedate=24 November 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wbez.org/shows/q/krief-artist-laolu-senbanjo-audiobook-historian-matthew-rubery-mini-food-artist-jay-baro/237497ef-5faf-430f-9e95-a3d245977130|title=Krief, artist Laolu Senbanjo, audiobook historian Matthew Rubery, mini food artist Jay Baro|date=5 January 2017|publisher=|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005020/https://www.wbez.org/shows/q/krief-artist-laolu-senbanjo-audiobook-historian-matthew-rubery-mini-food-artist-jay-baro/237497ef-5faf-430f-9e95-a3d245977130|archivedate=2017-11-07 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150827/flatbush/nigerian-artist-laolu-senbanjo-on-race-community-flatbush|title=Nigerian Artist Laolu Senbanjo on Race and Community in Flatbush|website=DNAinfo New York|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030132/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20150827/flatbush/nigerian-artist-laolu-senbanjo-on-race-community-flatbush|archivedate=2017-11-07 }}

"I knew if I pursued a career in the arts, I'd have to live with the fact that some people in my hometown might never talk to me again", said Senbanjo in an interview with 99U. Despite this, in 2010 Senbanjo quit his job as a lawyer and started the Laolu Senbanjo Art Gallery in Abuja, Nigeria.

Senbanjo moved to Brooklyn, New York, in August 2013 to pursue his art career.

Senbanjo has coined his style of art, Afromysterics, meaning mystery of the African thought pattern. It incorporates African themes and African traditions. His uses charcoal and distinct patterns to create complex, story-rich art designs that draw heavily on his Yoruba heritage and feature ancient Nigerian symbols and patterns.{{Cite news|url=http://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a13519428/laolu-senbanjo-laolunyc-instagram-artist/|title=I Was a Struggling Immigrant Artist. Then Beyoncé Called.|date=2017-12-11|work=Cosmopolitan|access-date=2018-01-03|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214023742/http://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a13519428/laolu-senbanjo-laolunyc-instagram-artist/|archivedate=2017-12-14 }} Senbanjo says his Nigerian roots are a major source for his visual inspiration. Though his visual references have been described as sharing "affinities with Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring".{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-body-artist-behind-beyoncés-visual-album_us_5720fc40e4b0b49df6a9df0f|title=Meet The Body Artist Behind Beyoncé's Visual Album|last=News|first=artnet|date=2016-04-27|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-US|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903082001/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-body-artist-behind-beyonc%C3%A9s-visual-album_us_5720fc40e4b0b49df6a9df0f|archivedate=2017-09-03 }}

He has had commissions from and formed partnerships with, celebrities and brand titans including Nike,{{Cite web |url=https://www.nike.com/us/en_us/e/cities/nyc/articles/masters-of-air/laolu |title=MASTER OF AIR LAOLU SENBANJO |website=nike.com |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104225114/https://www.nike.com/us/en_us/e/cities/nyc/articles/masters-of-air/laolu |archivedate=January 4, 2018 }} Beyoncé's album Lemonade, the Grammy Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. He has also partnered with Danielle Brooks (who plays Tasha Jefferson on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black). In June 2015, Senbanjo's new mantra became "everything is my canvas" and he began painting on everything from shoes, to jackets, to people. He created the Sacred Art of the Ori Ritual,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBsiUA_dxrc |title=Laolu Senbanjo{{Snd}} The Sacred Art of The Ori |website=youtube.com |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308154138/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBsiUA_dxrc |archivedate=March 8, 2018 }} which he describes and explains in an 11 September 2017 TED talk.{{cite web|url=http://www.essence.com/2016/04/27/laolu-senbanjo-nigerian-artist-behind-body-art-beyonce-lemonade|title=Meet Laolu Senbanjo, the Nigerian Artist Behind the Body Art in Beyoncé's 'Lemonade'|first=Toni|last=Akindele|date=27 April 2016|website=Essence.com|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424095153/http://www.essence.com/2016/04/27/laolu-senbanjo-nigerian-artist-behind-body-art-beyonce-lemonade|archivedate=24 April 2017 }}{{cite web|title=Nigerian Visual Artist Laolu Senbanjo Talks Beyoncé's 'Lemonade'|url=http://www.okayafrica.com/culture-2/beyonce-lemonade-laolu-senbanjo-sacred-art-of-the-ori/|website=OkayAfrica|date=24 April 2016|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703195024/http://www.okayafrica.com/culture-2/beyonce-lemonade-laolu-senbanjo-sacred-art-of-the-ori/|archivedate=3 July 2017 }} In his TED talk, Senbanjo talks about his work Dreamscape. In Laolu Senbanjo’s 2018 print, [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/748442031798787165/ Dreamscape], he reflects his frustration with the injustice in the world.{{Citation|last=Senbanjo|first=Laolu|title="The Sacred Art of the Ori"|url=https://www.ted.com/talks/laolu_senbanjo_the_sacred_art_of_the_ori|language=en|access-date=2021-04-10}} Working as a human rights attorney, he saw cases with children who faced the harsh reality of getting forced into marriage or continuing their education at a university. The artwork “is a mind map,” starting where most life does, from a vagina, to then connecting the journey of life and all that comes with that experience to the origin story of being born.{{Cite web|title=Dreamscape|url=https://catalog.boccara-art.com/main/dreamscape.html|access-date=2021-04-10|website=BOCCARA ART Galleries}} Some of the print’s “major themes include religion, war, politics, technology, Egyptology, sexuality, economics, environmental waste, media, history, music, greed and human nature.” Like most of his art, a bold design connects each element in the work inspired by his Yoruba ancestry. Another example of his art style and ancestral Yoruba influence that is more well-known is showcased in Beyoncé’s Lemonade, where Senbanjo’s body art is showcase throughout the visual album.{{Cite journal|last=Rogers|first=Jamie Ann|date=2020|title=Diasporic Communion and Textual Exchange in Beyoncé's Lemonade and Julie Dash's Daughters of the Dust|journal=Black Camera|volume=11|issue=2|pages=130–157|doi=10.2979/blackcamera.11.2.07|jstor=10.2979/blackcamera.11.2.07|s2cid=219873584 |url=https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/english_pubs/46 }}

• December 2014: Three shows at Art Basel Miami.{{cite web|url=http://wlrn.org/post/trayvon-martin-black-life-inspire-art-africa-overtown|title=Trayvon Martin, Black Life Inspire Art Africa In Overtown|last=Zuckerman|first=Alicia|date=5 December 2014|publisher=|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104192325/http://wlrn.org/post/trayvon-martin-black-life-inspire-art-africa-overtown|archivedate=2018-01-04 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.vibe.com/2017/12/10-best-art-basel-events-miami/|title=The 10 Best Events You Missed At Art Basel Miami 2017|date=2017-12-15|work=Vibe|access-date=2018-01-03|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104073358/https://www.vibe.com/2017/12/10-best-art-basel-events-miami/|archivedate=2018-01-04 }}
• May 2016: His exhibit "Sounds of Africa" opens at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, CA in collaboration with BET.{{Cite web |url=http://www.grammymuseum.org/exhibits/sounds-of-africa |title=Sounds Of Africa Presented by the GRAMMY Museum, in partnership with BET International |website=grammymuseum.org |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308154139/https://www.grammymuseum.org/exhibits/sounds-of-africa |archivedate=March 8, 2018 }}
• September 2016: Laolu performs " Creation as a Ritual: Performing Disguise", a live art installation{{Cite web |url=https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/event/creation_as_ritual_performing_disguise_september_2016/ |title=Creation as Ritual: Performing Disguise Saturday, September 17, 2016 |website=brooklynmuseum.org |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825230510/https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/event/creation_as_ritual_performing_disguise_september_2016/ |archivedate=August 25, 2017 }} featuring three dancers and live musicians,{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3I0FMlZJ0 |title=Creation as a ritual:performing in disguise by artist LaoLu at the Brooklyn museum |website=youtube.com |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308154137/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3I0FMlZJ0 |archivedate=March 8, 2018 }} at the Brooklyn Museum.{{Cite news|url=http://brooklynmuseum.tumblr.com/post/150308473987/its-the-early-days-of-september-and-summer-is-not|title=Brooklyn Museum|access-date=2018-01-03|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915065302/http://brooklynmuseum.tumblr.com/post/150308473987/its-the-early-days-of-september-and-summer-is-not|archivedate=2017-09-15 }}

Senbanjo and his Sacred Art of the Ori Ritual has been featured in various music videos, including:

• April 2015: "Come with me." by South African Black Coffee (DJ){{cite web|url=http://www.okayafrica.com/video/black-coffee-come-with-me-video/|title=Black Coffee Enlists Laolu Senbanjo & Mque for His New Video for 'Come With Me'{{Snd}} OkayAfrica|date=18 May 2016|publisher=|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001214541/http://www.okayafrica.com/video/black-coffee-come-with-me-video/|archivedate=1 October 2017 }}
• April 2016: Sorry (Beyoncé song) from Beyonce's Visual Album, Lemonade{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/arts/design/a-nigerian-artist-who-uses-the-skin-as-his-canvas.html|title=A Nigerian Artist Who Uses the Skin as His Canvas|last=Best|first=Tamara|date=2016-11-30|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127094152/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/arts/design/a-nigerian-artist-who-uses-the-skin-as-his-canvas.html|archivedate=2017-11-27 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/arts/music/beyonce-hbo-lemonade.html|title=Beyoncé Releases Surprise Album 'Lemonade' After HBO Special|last=Coscarelli|first=Joe|date=2016-04-23|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807021037/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/arts/music/beyonce-hbo-lemonade.html|archivedate=2017-08-07 }}
• September 2017: "Big Bad Soca" by Bunji Garlin
• February 2018: "Catch Your Eye" by Jussie Smollett ft Swizz Beatz{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/02/09/jussie-smollett-catch-your-eye-video-swizz-beatz-premier|title=Jussie Smollett makes a hypnotizing plea in his "Catch Your Eye" video}}
• October 2019: "LA CANCIÓN" by J Balvin x Bad Bunny{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8532970/bad-bunny-j-balvin-la-cancion-video|title=Bad Bunny & J Balvin Tell an Emotional Ghost Story in 'La Canción' Video|magazine=Billboard }}

Senbanjo has been invited to collaborate with several brands, including:

• Nike invites Senbanjo to become a Master of Air and create a T-shirt and sneaker design for Nike Air Max 2016, for sneaker enthusiasts.
• October 2016: Shoe designer Kenneth Cole and Laolu collaborate on a #MyStepsWill advertising campaign.{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/kennethcole/status/797595360411709441 |title=#MyStepsWill build bridges. What will your steps do?{{Snd}} @Afromysterics |website=twitter.com |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308154137/https://twitter.com/kennethcole/status/797595360411709441 |archivedate=March 8, 2018 }}
• BVLGARI Man in Black Essence limited edition Cologne bottle{{Cite web |url=https://www.bulgari.com/en-gb/bulgari-man-essence |title=Bulgari Man in Black Essence |website=bulgari.com |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132506/https://www.bulgari.com/en-gb/bulgari-man-essence |archivedate=January 4, 2018 }}
• Limited-edition packaging for Starbucks Espresso Roast, also available as a ceramic double-wall tumbler, 2018{{Cite web |url=https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2018/laolu-senbanjo-brings-it-all-together/ |title=Laolu Senbanjo brings it all together}}
• Belvedere Vodka Limited-edition bottle, 2018{{Cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/belvedere-vodka-joins-forces-with-acclaimed-artist-laolu-senbanjo-for-global-collaboration-including-stunning-limited-edition-bottle-300706690.html |title=Belvedere vodka joins forces with acclaimed artist Laolu Senbanjo for global collaboration including stunning limited edition bottle}}
• NYC Fashion week{{Cite web |url=https://bellamag.co/belvedere-vodka-x-laolu-senbanjo-launches-at-nyfw/ |title=Belvadere Vodka x Laolu Senbanjo launches at NYFW}}
• Apple Inc., 2019
• Target Corporation, 2019
• Essence (magazine) cover with Serena Williams, 2019 {{Cite web |url=https://www.essence.com/feature/essence-september-issue-serena-williams/ |title=ESSENCE Launches September's Global Fashion Issue With Fresh New Redesign}}
• Facebook Lift Black Voices Artwork, 2020
• Instagram
• Barclays Center

Senbanjo is a world music artist who draws influences from Fela Kuti, Sade (singer), Bob Marley, and King Sunny Adé. His musical style is deeply rooted in the traditions of Afrobeat and High Life, mixed with Afro-Soul and Reggae. Senbanjo blends singing in his native Yoruba language and often translates Yoruba folks songs, proverbs and his oriki into English.{{Cite web |url=https://soundcloud.com/laolu-the-afromysterics |title=Laolu & the Afromysterics |website=soundcloud.com |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308154138/https://soundcloud.com/laolu-the-afromysterics |archivedate=March 8, 2018 }}{{cite web|url=https://play.spotify.com/artist/4IgdAOl7flytdXK6Bzp3ok?play=true|title=Spotify|website=play.spotify.com | access-date=March 8, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mama-africa-single/id1230622179|title=Mama Africa{{Snd}} Single by Laolu NYC on Apple Music|website=iTunes|access-date=March 8, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104132357/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mama-africa-single/id1230622179|archive-date=January 4, 2018}}

• September 2014: Senbanjo opened for Tony Allen (musician) (the creator of Afrobeat) at SOB's in New York City, NY with his band Laolu and the Afromysterics.
• March 2015: Laolu and the Afromysterics performed at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas.{{cite web|url=http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS33276|title=Laolu Senbanjo – SXSW 2015 Event Schedule|website=schedule.sxsw.com|access-date=March 8, 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105070113/https://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_MS33276|archivedate=January 5, 2018 }}

• Performance art

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.laolu.nyc/}}
• {{Instagram}}

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Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Nigerian artists

Category:21st-century Nigerian musicians

Category:Nigerian emigrants to the United States

Category:Nigerian performance artists

Category:21st-century Nigerian lawyers

Category:People from Ilorin

Category:Yoruba artists

Category:Yoruba lawyers

Category:Yoruba musicians

Category:1982 births