After the success of African Rhapsodies, Seckou Keita returns to his roots with his new album Homeland, due to be released in October 2024 by Hudson Records.
In this upcoming opus, Seckou explores identity, sense of belonging and questions the very idea of home, influenced by his own relationship with both his adoptive UK homeland and his native country Senegal.
Always adventurous and seeking to challenge tradition through his kora playing, Seckou will surprise his audience with Homeland by taking them on a journey from past to present. Once again, he bridges musical genres, this time by blending traditional rhythms and modern compositions to create a unique sound, embracing afro-pop, urban and hip-hop.
Transitional musical poetry written and delivered by award winning poets and rap artists from the UK and Senegal will be craftily sampled and woven into the music, shaping a one of a kind live experience.
For the first time in ten years, Seckou will be playing his kora standing up, a tradition set by his uncle and mentor, the late Solo Cissokho, one of Senegal’s most famous pop stars of the nineties. Backed by an electrifying six-piece band of influential Senegalese musicians including drummer Matar N’Diongue, percussionist Kémo Cissokho, keyboardist Moussa N’Gom, guitarist Moustapha Gaye, bassist Modou Gueye, and the wonderful vocalist Korka Dieng, this promises to be an explosive live show!
This line-up, enhanced by Seckou’s magical 22-string kora and soulful vocals, is the ultimate African pop music act and brings a new colour to the genre in its most literal sense. In a blend of acoustic and electronic sounds, Homeland, the show, will certainly keep the audience on their toes!