About Me
Oba Frank Lords, born Francisco Javier Martin in Havana, Cuba, is a Miami-based percussionist, producer, and pioneer of the Afro House sound. Raised in Little Havana and Hialeah, Oba’s musical roots are deeply tied to Afro-Cuban spiritual traditions. Initiated at a young age into Palo Mayombe and Santería, he was mentored and consecrated as a ceremonial drummer and singer of sacred African rhythms—an influence that continues to define his music today. Over the decades, Oba has produced and remixed for global artists including Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, Thalía, Jon Secada, India, and Celia Cruz, and is known for iconic dancefloor records such as “Dark Beat (Addicted to Drums)” with Murk. His work has earned Winter Music Conference awards and Grammy recognition. Today, Oba remains a powerful force in Miami’s underground scene and has become an essential pillar of the Eclectic Vibes Afro House movement, delivering deep, percussion-driven performances that bridge ancestral rhythms with modern global dance music.
Live & Studio
Whether performing live or working in the studio, Oba Frank Lords brings the same powerful presence and rhythmic authority. On stage, he channels the energy of ancestral Afro-Cuban percussion, transforming every performance into a deeply immersive experience where drums, chants, and electronic grooves unite to move the crowd. In the studio, that same spirit becomes focused craftsmanship—layering rhythms, textures, and soulful percussion to build tracks that feel alive and timeless. For Oba, rhythm is more than music; it is a living language. Live and in the studio, he bridges ancient Afro-Caribbean traditions with modern house music, creating a sound that is both spiritual and electrifying.
His studio environment often feels more like a rhythmic laboratory than a typical recording session. Congas, batá drums, shakers, and electronic production tools coexist side by side, allowing him to merge ancestral Afro-Cuban rhythms with modern house music production. Drawing from decades of experience producing, remixing, and collaborating with major artists, he instinctively knows how to shape a groove that moves both the body and the spirit.
Professional Skills
Percussion, Arranger & Production Curator of Manny Remixes.
