YAWO, acoustic afrofunk

Art in the cafe...

Dottie and Josie Brand (Two Peas in a Pod)


"Summer Magic"


June 2026



We are self-taught artists who create work inspired by healing, nature, travel, and personal experiences. Growing up, art became a way for us to process emotions, express ourselves, and create spaces that felt meaningful and comforting. Our first “gallery” was our college apartment, which we transformed with our own artwork and nature-inspired design and the power of the feminine. Sharing our space and work with others encouraged us to continue creating and exploring art more seriously. Inspired by our Latin culture, color, emotion, and everyday moments, our work reflects themes of connection, growth,...
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Saturday, April 21, 2007

A native of Togo, West Africa, Yawo started his musical career at the ---Ecole Experimentale de musique--- of Lome where he studied flute, classical guitar, and electric bass.

As the leader of the high school band he formed with his brother and sister, Yawo Attivor developed a talent for composing and arranging music that embraces both the traditions of the Ewe tribe and the influences of the western civilization. This multicultural approach to songwriting led to the creation of the MIMI-Togo (International Movement for Innovative music-Togo branch) which Yawo directed until he left Togo in 1992 as a result of political turmoil in his motherland.

In 1993, Yawo joined the international organization Up With People, traveling the U.S. and Europe, promoting peace and understanding among the citizens of the world. After Up with People, Yawo, his cousin Ro Attivor(aka Ro Bezz), Sarah Agbeto and guitarist Matt Hupton created Doliho, an afropop project that rocked the Midwest in the late 90s.

In 2002, after he moved to Minneapolis a year earlier, Yawo launched a solo career with the album ---Celebrate--- (Mia du agbe) followed in October 2004 by ---Take Out the Fences---, a ---refreshingly upbeat--- (Minneapolis Star-Tribune) album that breaks musical barriers with an explosion of afrobeat, afrofunk and reggae.YAWO is currently working on an acoustic album.

Music