It All Starts In Here
About Me
From an early age, Oba’s path was intertwined with the sacred rhythms of Afro-Cuban religion. At only ten years old, he was initiated into Palo Mayombe, and soon after into Santería, two spiritual traditions that preserve the ancestral music, chants, and ceremonial drumming of West Africa. Under the mentorship of respected elders, he was consecrated as both a drummer and singer of the ancient sacred rhythms, mastering the ceremonial beats and chants passed down through generations. These formative experiences would not only shape his spiritual life but would later become the foundation of his distinctive musical identity. Throughout his youth, Oba performed with various garage bands and folkloric groups, blending traditional Afro-Cuban percussion with contemporary music. His musical curiosity soon led him into the professional recording world when he began working at the legendary TK Records in Miami, the label responsible for global hits by artists such as K.C. & The Sunshine Band and Timmy Thomas. While working around the studio, Oba closely observed the process of recording and production, witnessing the creation of iconic records like “Shake Your Booty” and “Why Can’t We Live Together.”
His first break came unexpectedly. One day, when the scheduled percussionist failed to appear for a recording session, the studio engineer jokingly challenged Oba to step in and record the track himself. Accepting the dare, Oba laid down the percussion for the song “Miami Heatwave” by Fifth Avenue, marking his first professional studio recording and igniting a lifelong career in music production and performance.
Oba’s musical journey continued to evolve as he joined the influential dance project Dogma, which produced the #1 Billboard Dance hit “Mas Suave.” Around this time, working closely with manager Joe Granda of Angel Eyes Productions, Oba expanded his creative vision and formed the group LatinXpress. The project generated several dancefloor classics, including “Descarga” (co-produced with Giuseppe D.) and the Afro-spiritual club anthems “Changó – Inle Güe” and “Eleguá,” both produced with Albert Adam Camara.
This collaboration led to the creation of the production duo OBADAM, a partnership that would go on to make a significant impact on the global dance music scene. Together they produced and remixed numerous chart-topping records, including remixes for international superstars such as Ricky Martin, Thalía, Grupo Niche, Jon Secada, India, Juanes, and Paulina Rubio. Among their most recognized works was the remix of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs,” as well as a Grammy-nominated remix for Gloria Estefan’s “Out of Nowhere.”
Oba also holds a unique place in Latin music history as the producer behind Celia Cruz’s final recording, the song “Ríe y Llora.” Both the remix of “She Bangs” and the Celia Cruz production earned Oba the prestigious “Best Remix of the Year” awards from the Winter Music Conference in Miami, solidifying his reputation as one of the most respected remixers in dance music.
One of Oba’s most enduring contributions to club culture came with the release of the now-legendary track “Dark Beat (Addicted to Drums)”, produced with Oscar G. and Ralph Falcon of Murk. The track became a #1 Billboard Dance hit and remains a staple in clubs around the world decades later. Along with many of his previous productions and remixes, this record helped establish Oba as one of the pioneers of the Afro House sound, blending sacred Afro-Cuban percussion with modern electronic dance music.
Over the years, Oba has produced and remixed countless records for influential dance labels such as Made In Miami, Nervous Records, and Stealth Records, in addition to working with major labels including Sony Music, Capitol Records, and Warner Bros. His extensive catalog spans multiple genres, cultures, and generations of artists.
In recent years, Oba has continued to evolve creatively, collaborating with producer Carlos Torre as a remix team. Their work includes contributions to Gloria Estefan’s two-time Grammy and Latin Grammy winning album Raíces, including a remix of the song “La Vecina (No Sé Na).” This project further demonstrates Oba’s ability to merge traditional Afro-Caribbean musical heritage with modern production.
Today, Oba Frank Lords remains deeply active in the global dance music scene and has become an essential pillar of Miami’s Afro House movement, particularly through his role in the influential Eclectic Vibes community. Through these events and collaborations, he continues to champion a sound rooted in ancestral percussion, Afro-Caribbean spirituality, and underground house music, helping shape the identity of Miami’s modern Afro House culture.
He currently holds a long-standing residency at the iconic COYO Taco in Wynwood, Miami, where he performs alongside his son N-GO Lords and legendary DJ Oscar G., delivering a deep and authentic underground Afro House experience built on percussion, rhythm, and spiritual energy.
With decades of innovation behind him and an enduring passion for rhythm, Oba Frank Lords remains a powerful cultural bridge between ancient African traditions and modern global dance music. And as he continues to evolve creatively, one thing is certain: the rhythm is far from finished — the best is yet to come.
Professional Experience
Bands & Groups
By 1980, Oba formed his first professional group, Silent Prayer. Although the group eventually dissolved, many of its members later formed Erotic Exotic, while Oba went on to establish the band Secret Society alongside singer Rudy Gil. The group quickly gained momentum and achieved Billboard chart success after signing with PolyGram Records. Their breakout hit “We Belong Together”, along with dancefloor favorites such as “Why Did You Run Away” and “Find Yourself,” helped establish them as early pioneers of what would become known as the Miami Freestyle sound.
oba frank lords & Rudy gil
secret society
80s & 90s Music
Oba’s musical journey continued to evolve as he joined the influential dance project Dogma, which produced the #1 Billboard Dance hit “Mas Suave.” Around this time, working closely with manager Joe Granda of Angel Eyes Productions, Oba expanded his creative vision and formed the group LatinXpress. The project generated several dancefloor classics, including “Descarga” (co-produced with Giuseppe D.) and the Afro-spiritual club anthems “Changó – Inle Güe” and “Eleguá,” both produced with Albert Adam Camara.
This collaboration led to the creation of the production duo OBADAM, a partnership that would go on to make a significant impact on the global dance music scene. Together they produced and remixed numerous chart-topping records, including remixes for international superstars such as Ricky Martin, Thalía, Grupo Niche, Jon Secada, India, Juanes, and Paulina Rubio. Among their most recognized works was the remix of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs,” as well as a Grammy-nominated remix for Gloria Estefan’s “Out of Nowhere.”
obadam
Oba also holds a unique place in Latin music history as the producer behind Celia Cruz’s final recording, the song “Ríe y Llora.” Both the remix of “She Bangs” and the Celia Cruz production earned Oba the prestigious “Best Remix of the Year” awards from the Winter Music Conference in Miami, solidifying his reputation as one of the most respected remixers in dance music.
