B-2 Unit Explained

B-2 Unit
Type:	Studio
Artist:	Ryuichi Sakamoto
Border:	yes
Genre:	Electronic, electro
Label:	Alfa
Producer:	Ryuichi Sakamoto
Prev Title:	Thousand Knives
Prev Year:	1978
Next Title:	Left-Handed Dream
Next Year:	1981

B-2 Unit is the second solo album by Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto. The album included the track "Riot in Lagos", which was significant in the development of electro and hip hop music. The song was listed by The Guardian in 2011 as one of the 50 key events in the history of dance music.^[1]

Influence

The album, and in particular the song "Riot in Lagos", has been acknowledged as an influence on the development of hip-hop and electro music of the 1980s.^[2] Artists in the 1980s including Afrika Bambaataa and Mantronix and more recently Aphex Twin and Autechre are said to have drawn inspiration from the song and album.^{[3] [4]}

Personnel

• Ryuichi Sakamoto – music, composer, arranger
• Andy Partridge – music
• Kenji Omura – music
• Tadashi Kumihara – music
• Hideki Matsutake – computer programming

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vine. Richard. Ryuichi Sakamoto records Riot In Lagos. The Guardian . UK. July 9, 2011. July 9, 2011.
2. Web site: An introduction to Ryuichi Sakamoto in 10 records. The Vinyl Factory. April 17, 2023.
3. Web site: Petridis. Alexis. Ryuichi Sakamoto: the avant gardist who became a groundbreaking pop star. The Guardian. April 17, 2023.
4. Web site: Kreps. Daniel. Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yellow Magic Orchestra Member and Oscar-Winning Composer, Dead at 71. Rolling Stone. April 17, 2023.