We recently connected with Oba Frank Lords and have shared our conversation below.

Oba Frank, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I hope to leave a mark in the music industry as a pioneer of the genre I am known for ( AFRO HOUSE MUSIC ). I hope that generations to come may use the groundwork I have laid out for them.

Oba Frank, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

OBA Frank Lords – born Francisco Martin in Havana, Cuba came to the U.S.A. at age 5. He was introduced to percussion at the age of 10, by an old Santero that lived in his neighborhood in little Havana. People in the community called the old Santero “El Congo” because he could barely speak Spanish and English, (he spoke in African dialect). “El Congo” was very old and full of knowledge about religion and African rhythms as a result of his parents being slaves brought from Africa. OBA was mesmerized by El Congo’s collection of drums and would come over daily to visit him. One day, the man gave him his first taste of the percussion drum (which was basically a piece of wood). Since then, OBA has not stopped. OBA believes “El Congo’s” spirit lives within him and performs through him when he plays. At the age of 10, OBA met his lifetime idol Desi Arnaz (Ricky Ricardo) at a theater in Little Havana (Miami, FL), during a tribute to Cuba’s greatest singers. Being introduced to Desi was one of the highlights of the day. His godfather (who knew the choreographer of the show) told Desi that the young OBA imitated him singing his trademark song, “Babalu” so Desi asked him to join him on stage. That night, the seed and great passion for performing in front of an audience had been planted.
OBA played with many garage bands throughout his adolescent years and worked at Miami’s iconic T.K. Records for Henry Stone. He learned all of the facets of running a recording studio in addition to witnessing the sessions of such greats as K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Jimmy BoHorne, Celi Bee, Betty Wright and many more. These experiences fueled OBA’S desire to record and produce. One day due to an accident, a session percussionist suffered an injury. The producer at the studio asked OBA if he would play percussion on a new track they were recording. OBA said yes and his performance on the #1 Disco hit, “Miami Heat Wave” helped shape his signature sound.
In 1980, OBA was initiated into the African religion of Santeria (Lucumi Religion) and as he advanced within the religion, he was inducted as a drummer (Batalero) and later as a singer (Akpwon), of the African Yoruba dialect. This further enhanced OBA’s musical knowledge as he was now learning and using techniques that were as old as time itself; handed down from generation to generation.
In the mid 80’s, OBA had his first commercial success with his group Secret Society with hits such as “Why Did U Runaway” and “Find Yourself”. However, it was the #1 Billboard smash, “We Belong Together” that brought OBA’s name to the forefront of Dance music where he was heralded among one of the creators of the Miami Freestyle scene.
In 1996 after Secret Society disbanded, OBA became part of the group Dogma and the Afro-Cuban Rhythms, generating Billboard Dance Chart hits, “Mas Suave” and “Ritmo Cubano, Sabor Africano”. Moving on to bring to fruition his lifelong dream of blending Afro-Cuban traditional music with Dance music, Oba formed LatinXpress. Their first single, “Descarga” (which he co-wrote and co-produced with producer/re-mixer, Giuseppe D) hit the top of the Billboard Dance Chart, and launched LatinXpress onto the scene. Teaming up with Albert “Adam” Camara (a high profile producer/re-mixer) they created the moniker, “ObAdam”. Together they wrote and produced LatinXpress’ biggest hit (and future club anthem), “Chango” featuring the legendary Gina Martin on vocals. ObAdam continued to produce, perform and re-mix for musical icons such as India, Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Paulina Rubio, Juanes, Ricky Martin and a plethora of underground and pop artists. ObAdam became the leading name to be called upon when a label needed spicy Latin
rhythms infused with fierce dance vibes for clubs all over the world.
OBA then joined forces with renowned DJ/Producer/Re-mixers, MURK (Oscar G and Ralph Falcon) to create the revolutionary track, “Dark Beat” (Addicted to Drums). This took the music world by storm. Reaching the #1 spot on Billboard’s Club Play Chart, “Dark Beat” also received heavy rotation on top stations (WKTU/NY, Power 96/Miami, B96/Chicago, to name a few) in the major US and European markets. “Dark Beat” also received accolades at the Dance Star Awards and Winter Music Conference. Their second single, “Alright” also went to the #1 spot on the Billboard Club Play Chart. These hits fueled multiple tours around the United States and abroad. A huge following of devoted fans in clubs chanted the lyrics during OBA’s performances turned a typical track show into a concert frenzy like environment. The combination of native costuming, tribal make-up and fire-breathing provided intense visuals for the unique backdrop of top quality music and live percussion.
In 2002, OBA felt the need to take a hiatus from the music scene for some much needed spiritual time. He disconnected completely and opened a religious temple/store where he treated people with both spiritual needs and problems. This sabbatical continued for 9 years, but the fire for music still burned inside of him. In 2010, OBA returned with “Rumble” – a “Dark Beat” -esque type of song which catapulted into Billboard’s top 20 Club Song Chart.
OBA continues to write, produce, perform and remix. Recent projects include: top-selling artists Kristine W and Sizzla, Billboard Club Song Chart favorites Ceevox, Pepper Mashay, Jenevieve X and Felicia along with hot new upcoming artists such as, Soulistk and The Medicine Box. Oba continues to collaborate with high-profile DJ’s and has residencies at two Miami hotspots with OSCAR G. Producing for Hot new artist, Katiahshé, Oba has created a unique blend of afro-cuban music and house beats, which he has branded as “305 Hous” releasing successfully on various labels such as, Made in Miami, Nervous Records, Stealth Records and In House Records.
Together with Oscar G. and Katiahshé, OBA has also developed a concert entitled, A.C.H.E., the Afro-Cuban House Experiment. An extravaganza of
beats, sultry vocals, hip-hop flavor, live musicians, dancers and intense visuals, A.C.H.E. is planning to tour around the world! OBA says ; “STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT BOMB TO DROP ANY MINUTE!”

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I came into the music industry without any outside help in the early 80s . Back then you would have to pay Lotts of money to record and press records also the promotion and everything that involves a record release. so I had to do odd jobs like deliver subs and retail etc to be able to payoff my music to comet. I met resistance on getting it played on the radio since I wasn’t on a major label but through Lotts of perseverance I got my first record on the radio and playing in clubs and the rest is history.

Have you ever had to pivot?

IT was during the pandemic that I was faced with the most devastating loss of work since I play in clubs and that was the last thing that opened up after the pandemic was over . so I had to resort to other ways of making money like graphic design and even my spiritual background as a healer .These were very hard times.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Obafranklords
• Facebook: FRANK LORDS

Image Credits

I have the rights to all media