Kolawole Ganikale

Thesis

Thesis Title

Digital Jùjú: Cultural Mediation, Pedagogy, and Culturally Responsive Music Technologies 

Supervisors: Dr Matthew Williams and Professor Catherine Laws

This practice-based research investigates how culturally responsive music technologies can support the preservation, pedagogy, and contemporary performance of Jùjú music. Focusing on Yorùbá talking drum semiotics, digital audio workstations, and AI-assisted performance systems, the project develops the ÀyànThron framework — a voice-triggered, culturally grounded performance interface co-designed with a technologist. Rather than treating technology as neutral, the study positions it as a cultural mediator that can translate indigenous musical logics into digital environments. Through performance diaries, workshops, and collaborative design processes, the research proposes new pedagogical models for integrating African musical epistemologies into global music technology education, contributing to ongoing debates on decolonial design, digital mediation, and African-centred analytical systems in music studies.

Biography

Biography

Kolawole Ganikale is a Nigerian-born, UK-based practitioner-scholar, performer, and PhD researcher in Music at the University of York. His work centres on Jùjú music, Yorùbá talking drum traditions, and culturally responsive music technologies. He holds advanced training in music production and creative practice and has presented internationally across Europe, Africa, and North America. Kolawole’s research integrates performance, pedagogy, and digital design, with a particular focus on Africanising Western music technologies and archiving endangered drum cultures. He has received multiple academic recognitions, including awards supporting research, performance, and knowledge exchange. Alongside his research, he engages in workshops, teaching contributions, and interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge indigenous musical knowledge with contemporary technological systems. His broader interests include decolonial music education, African epistemologies, and global approaches to culturally grounded music technology design.

Research

Research Interests

Jùjú music; Yorùbá music; Talking drum semiotics; Culturally responsive music technology; Digital mediation; Decolonial musicology; African music pedagogy; Practice-based research; AI in music performance; Indigenous knowledge systems; Music technology education; Africanising the DAW; Archiving drum cultures.

External activity

External activity

2023

• Presentation: IMT Conference, Makhanda, South Africa – Juju Music Performance: Africanising the Arranger Technology.
• Presentation: StreetLife Hub Workshop, York (5 June) – Street Music Meets Technology: Afrobeat Making Workshop.
• Presentation: Global Arts and Psychology Seminar, University of York (15 September) – The Use of Technologies for Creative Practice in the Art of Jùjú Music.
• Presentation: University of West London Annual Black Music Symposium, British Library (2 October) – Harnessing AI Potentials for Diaspora Jùjú Music Culture.
• Presentation: AES Education Workshop, Hasselt, Belgium – Panel discussion on decolonised audio equipment, education, and research.

2024

• Presentation: BFE/RMA Research Students’ Conference, Cardiff (11 January) – Jùjú Music: The Technological Identity of a Cultural Genre.
• Presentation: School of Arts and Creative Technologies Research Seminar, University of York (14 February) – Jùjú Music Performance and Innovation: Africanising Western Technologies.
• Presentation/Performance: Creative Coding Lab Workshop, University of Huddersfield (29 February, with Jordie Shier) – From Tradition to Collaboration: Technological Innovation in Jùjú Music Performance.
• Presentation: York African Research Network (22 March) – Navigating Challenges and Embracing Resilience to Achieve Research Objectives in Academic Pursuits.
• Presentation: AFRINUM Symposium, EHESS Condorcet, Aubervilliers, Paris (25 March) – Juju Music Technology: Innovative Approach to Cultural Preservation of Sonic Identity.
• Performance: Jùjú@York Concert – Curated research-led performance demonstrating digital mediation of Jùjú music.

2025

• Presentation/Performance: IASPM Conference, Paris – Research presentation and performance on Digital Jùjú and culturally responsive music technologies.
• Presentation/Performance: CNSMDP (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris) – Research presentation and practice-based Jùjú performance system demonstration.
• Performance: University of York African Research Network Celebration (24 June) – Entertainment session and live Jùjú performance.
• Presentation/Performance: HRC York Festival of Ideas – Fringe Family Fun Afternoon (May) – Public engagement presentation and performance.
• Performance: York BAME Week – Live Jùjú music performance and cultural engagement.
• Presentation: Society for Music Production Research (SMPR), University of Victoria, Canada – Conference presentation on culturally responsive Jùjú music technologies.
• Presentation: Guest Lecture, University of Victoria – Theories of African Times (Teaching presentation).
• 2025 – Publication: Decolonising Music Technology Education Toolkit (Grant-supported research contribution as Research Assistant, University of York).