about

A captivating blend of hypnotic rhythms and deep ballads, SABABU combines traditional heritage with contemporary sounds. Aboubakar Traoré’s heartfelt cries are both passionate and demanding, taking on universal themes such as injustice, love, heritage and the quest for freedom.

Since its release on November 29, 2024, Aboubakar Traoré & Balima’s album Sababu has received widespread critical acclaim. Praised for its masterful fusion of traditional Mandingo griot storytelling with contemporary sounds, the album weaves together themes of injustice, love, heritage, and the quest for freedom.

With No. 1 on the World Music Charts Europe and No. 4 on the Transglobal World Music Chart, Sababu continues to resonate deeply with listeners worldwide. The album has also been featured on leading radio platforms, including BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction & Music Planet, BBC Radio 6 Music’s New Music Fix, and KEXP (US).

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Having gathered top class musicians such as Zonatan Dembélé (bass), former member of Rokia Traoré (Mali) , Désiré Somé (el. guitar), member of  Bai Kamar Jr. 's band The Voodoo Sniffers and Foofango, Guillaume Codutti (percussion) and Geoffrey Desmet (balafon, djembe), both part of percussive big band Sysmo, Aboubakar Traoré & Balima’s strength lies in the vitalisation of tradtion on the scenery of a varied background.

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A native of Bobo-Dioulasso, a cultural crossroad in Burkina Faso, the self-taught Traoré learned the intricacies of the kamele n’goni – which translates as the “young man’s harp”, - and the vocal traditions of the Mandingo griots, both mastering and innovating their ancient repertoire. On Sababu he addresses the daily hardships of his people, pays tribute to the ancient ones who shaped West African history, and challenges the socio-political structures that continue to affect his homeland and beyond.

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Aboubakar Traoré: Kamélé ngoni, lead voice.
Désiré Somé: Guitar, backing vocals
Guillaume Codutti: Percussion, backing vocals
Geoffrey Desmet: Balafon, djembe, backing vocals
Zonatan Dembélé: Bass,  backing vocals

Antoine Thonon: Sound engineer
Bertrand Veys: Management 

Wout Van Putten: Booking (labestia.be)