Rick Asikpo, a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist, began his musical journey in Houston, Texas, where he joined The People's Workshop, a Black artist collective. In 1981, while studying in the U.S., he recorded the album *Got To Be Me* at River City Studio in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This work seamlessly blends Southern U.S. jazz-funk with West African soul, drawing inspiration from artists like Earth, Wind & Fire. Originally released only in Nigeria, the album became a rare collector's item. In 2025, Soundway Records reissued this seminal work, highlighting Asikpo's role in bridging the musical landscapes of Houston and Lagos. ([soundwayrecords.com](https://soundwayrecords.com/news/announcing-rick-asikpo-got-to-be-me-reissue?utm_source=openai))