Nahru Lampkin

Nahru Lampkin
Born
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Other namesBongo Man
Occupation(s)Musician, street performer, entrepreneur
Years active1983–present

Nahru Lampkin, aka Bongo Man (born 1962), is an American entertainer, musician, street performer, and entrepreneur from Detroit, Michigan.[1] He has two other jobs, but he is best known as a street performer who plays conga drums (referred to as bongo drums by his customers)[2] near the entrance to sporting and other events, while offering rhymed comments to passers-by.[3] He was born in Michigan in 1962.[1]

Lampkin has been performing his "Bongo Man" act since 1983, when he started at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco.[4] He has been performing at the University of Michigan's Saturday football games for more than 25 years, starting in 1988;[5] ESPN described him as a "longtime and storied tradition" at Michigan games.[6] He also performs at Michigan State University games,[2] Detroit Tigers games,[3] and events at Joe Louis Arena, Ford Field and Comerica Park.[2] Since 1993 he has traveled to perform at the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky and at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana.[1] When not performing he drives a taxicab (the "Bongo Man Taxi")[4] and teaches robotics at YouthVille Detroit.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Puckett, Jeffrey Lee (May 6, 2007). "Musicians hope to finish strong". Courier-Journal. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d Walker, Alana (October 2013). "Nahru Lampkin: The Bongo Man". BLAC Detroit. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  3. ^ a b Carlisle, John (DetroitBlogger John) (May 23, 2012). "Hustle and flow: Stroll past Bongo Man and you'll star in his rhymes". Metro Times. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  4. ^ a b Burns, Gus (April 5, 2013). "Detroit's 'Bongo Man' earns tips, smiles from Opening Day Tiger fans". MLive. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Beats for the streets". The Michigan Daily. September 6, 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  6. ^ "GameDay Tradition - Ann Arbor's The Bongo Man". GameDay ESPN. Youtube. September 16, 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2014.