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
- ^ a b c Puckett, Jeffrey Lee (May 6, 2007). "Musicians hope to finish strong". Courier-Journal. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d Walker, Alana (October 2013). "Nahru Lampkin: The Bongo Man". BLAC Detroit. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Burns, Gus (April 5, 2013). "Detroit's 'Bongo Man' earns tips, smiles from Opening Day Tiger fans". MLive. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ "Beats for the streets". The Michigan Daily. September 6, 2004. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ "GameDay Tradition - Ann Arbor's The Bongo Man". GameDay ESPN. Youtube. September 16, 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2014.