“Most Outstanding Group”
-Chicago Music Awards
“Best World Music Group”
-Chicago Reader
Celebrating 27 years in 2023, Funkadesi has been wowing crowds with their blend of Indian bhangra, Bollywood & folk with reggae, funk, and Afro-Caribbean grooves, Funkadesi emphatically personifies inclusive joy. Winer of this year’s Chicago Music Award for Most Outstanding Group, Chicago-based Funkadesi delivers a virtuoso high energy musical experience. With members who are unprecedentedly diverse (Indian-American, African-American, Jamaican, Latino, and European-American), their music expresses their motto: “One family, many children. . . . Insisting we all belong.”
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES:
Sat Dec 2nd, 8pm
Old Town School of Folk Music
FUNKADESI 27TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT!!!
Thank you family, friends, and fans for the consecutive Chicago Music Awards "Most Outstanding Group" honor!
“There’s a lot of funk in that desi!”
– Barack Obama
“Funkadesi knows how to be fun and accessible, while grooving your socks off with their
reggae / Bhangra / roots music brew.”
– Latin Beat Magazine, Los Angeles
Photos courtesy of TEDx Chicago
Funkadesi on the TEDx Chicago stage
leading the TEDx crowd in a guided meditation with live improvised music.
Funkadesi had the honor of leading the TEDxChicago crowd through a guided visualization set to live music, followed by a performance. All band members are gifted healers, educators, and community advocates who are passionate about combining entertainment with education, experiential learning, and becoming better global citizens. Learn more about interactive workshops here.
Our 25th Anniversary
In December of 2021, Funkadesi turns 25! Here’s a snippet of a feature documentary to be released this year, as part of the grand celebration! Thanks to filmmaker Sree Nallamothu for this collaboration!