Revolution Sabar
VINYL
01 Selebyon
02 Serigne Cheikh Ndiguel Fall
03 Labane
04 Senegal
05 Liggeuyil
06 Laobéyi Ño Di Samay Xarit
07 Yangap
08 Bellio Mbaye
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STREAMING
ABOUT THE ALBUM
For every human experience there is a rhythm, and every rhythm has a name. When the rhythms move from the background to the spotlight, there is a Revolution Sabar.
Revolution Sabar is a drum-driven Afro-pop fusion album from the Senegalese percussionist composer, sabar maestro, drum maker and griot lineage holder Aba Diop. The record features the sparkling African lute-harp played by the renowned “Jimi Hendrix of kora” Noumoucounda Cissoko, jazz-inflected guitar riffs by New Yorker newcomer Jason Hosier, and bass virtuoso Thierno Sarr with support from Senegalese players Samba Ndokh, master of the tama drum, and smoldering backup vocals from Zeyna Diop.
This explosively percussion-forward ensemble is the first to showcase the electrifying polyrhythms of the ancient sabar drum, the north star of the group: where even at live shows it is moved from the rhythm section to the middle of the stage. This is Aba Diop’s revolution.
From the hypnotic opener “Selebeyon” invoking the genie “djinn” at the crossroads, to the last song “Bellio Mbaye,” trance-like and woven with feminine energy, the music evokes ancient heartbeats with a modern soul. Each track erupts with layered precision and a prismatic “mystical, romantic vibe” (The Arts Fuse Magazine). For adventurous ears that love acts like Ali Farka Toure and Zakir Hussain, “Revolution Sabar” is a refreshing new take on “world music.”
It is said that sabar drums were used by the village griots to communicate between towns several miles away. Sabar is still a way to mark important events and to gather people together. “Yermande” is a West African Wolof language word that means to have a good heart that wishes for all people to be treated like family. The dream of this album is to bring the healing medicine of the sabar ensemble to a broader audience through the rhythms that literally speak to the hearts of the listener: each beat is a word, an incantation of longing for a world where everyone is cared for, where everyone is family.
Released: May 03, 2024
Track sNIPPETS with Lyrics
Track 01
SELEBEYON
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Selebeyon “sell-ah-bee-yone” is the first single from Aba Diop & the Yermande Family featuring an energetic emulsion of African sabar and tama drum in conversation, sparkling kora harp and meditative jazzy guitar riffs. Aba's multi-millennia lineage as a griot, the culture-bearers of West Africa, shines through the song describing a crossroads where the djinn—the spirits—gather. Selebeyon stands at its own crossroads, ancient and modern, as it redefines "world music" for a new generation.
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Samba la Aziz la Khadim la teugeul ma sabar
Samba la Aziz la Aba la teugeul ma tama
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Samba, Aziz, Khadim play me the sabar
Samba, Aziz, Aba play me the tama
Track 02
SERIGNE CHEIKH NDIGUEL FALL
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Serigne Cheikh Ndiguel Fall (ser-een cher ndig-el fall) is a devotional song with kora, guitar, bass, and sabar from Aba Diop & the Yermande Family honoring the living spiritual guide of the Senegalese Sufis known as the Baye Fall. “I grew up playing in front of him, that is why I made a song to say ‘thank you’ for making us real real real Baye Fall.” –Aba, whose percussive vocal hook punctuates traditional background chanting. A humble and hypnotic offering of praise when music is all you have.
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Cheikh Ndiguel Fall
Yay beuline coumbay beuline
Deuk bo dem wané fa louni nañe
Beuline coumbay beuline
Ay Ndiguel Fall
Serigne Cheikh Ndiguel Fall Gaïndé khelcom
Nioun yaw rek laniou beug papa
Nioun yaw rek laniouy bégué
Yaram nga Fall
Sa younou yewo yaw rek laniouy guiss
Sounou khol yi yako feiss
Waat na ni yaw yay Baye Fall bi Gaïndé khelcom nga Baye Ndiguel
Seute day ndourou mamame
Seute day ndourou mame ya dondou Serigne Cheikh Fall Baye Gore rakou Serigne Modou Moustafa
Kokou mame la
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore meun thi mag ñi meun thi ndaw ñi
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore meun thi mag ñi meun thi ndaw ñi
Yanou def ni Baye Falls
Deug deug deug Baye Falls
Yanou def ni Baye Falls
Deug deug deug Baye Falls
Baye Ndiguel Fall
Yiw na sel na tabé na manou na goré na
Baye Ndiguel Fall
Yiw na sel na tabé na manou na goré na
Baye Ndiguel Fall
Ndiguel
Baye
Ndiguel
Moy Serigne bi geun
Tarou yiw tabé
Moy Serigne bi geun
Thi nioune
Thi nioune
Moy Serigne bi geun
Baye Ndiguel mou Serigne cheikh fall baye gore kat moy serigne bi geun
Thi nioune
Baye Ndiguel
Baye Falls yangi ni
Fall
Baye Falls yangi ni
Serignou Aliou Mbaye
Borom Mbacké bawol Fall
Kou mel ni Mbaye
Baye Falls yangi ni
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
Baye Fall nga Baye Fall nga
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
Baye Fall la
Cheikh ngani
Cheikh Ndiguel ya dondou Serigne Modou Moustafa Fall Baye Fall
Loulou deug la
Diébalou rek
Diébalou
Diéalou rek
Diébalou rek
Diébalou
Diébalou rek
Diébalou rek
Kouko defoul perte nga
Man deh diébalou na
No faté Baye Fall
Lan?
Ak lan?
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore la
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore la
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
Sa mame mo khalone yon bi niou fek ko fa
Kou nek di souk di ram di diébalou
Gniir beugeu done Baye
Fall
Baye
Mounane Fall
Baye Falls yangi ni
Fall
Baye Falls yangi ni Fall
Fall
Baye Falls yangi ni Fall
Fall
Baye fall yangi ni fall fall fall fall fall
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Cheikh Ndiguel Fall
You are a capable man
You do something great in every country you go
A capable man
Ndiguel Fall
Serigne Cheikh Ndiguel Fall the lion of Khelcom
It's only you we love, papa
It's only you we follow
You are a good man Fall
Every time we wake up, we see only you
You fill our hearts
I swear you're Baye fall, the lion of Khelcom
A grandson must resemble his grandfather
A grandson must look like his grandfather, you are the heir of Serigne Cheikh Fall Baye Gore the little brother of Serigne Modou Moustafa
It's his grandfather
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore stronger among adults stronger among children
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore strongest among adults strongest among children
You made us Baye Falls
Real real real Baye Falls
You made us Baye Falls
Real real real Baye Falls
Baye Ndiguel Fall
He is modest, he is pure, he is generous, he is kind
Baye Ndiguel Fall
He is modest, he is pure, he is generous, he is kind
Baye Ndiguel Fall
Ndiguel
Baye
Ndiguel
This is the best Serigne
Radiant humble benefactor
He is the best Serigne
For us
For us
He is the best Serigne
Baye Ndiguel
For us
Baye Ndiguel
Here are the Baye Falls
Fall
There are the Baye Falls
Serigne by Aliou Mbaye
Owner of Mbacké Baye Fall
Someone like that Mbaye
Here are the Baye Falls
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
You're a Baye Fall a Baye Fall
Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
You're a Baye Fall
Cheikh, you said?
Cheikh Ndiguel you are the heir of Serigne Modou Moustafa Fall Baye Fall
That's true
We yield only to you
We bow to you
We bow to you
We bow to you
We bow to you
We bow to you
Whoever does not do so loses
I did it
How to forget Baye fall
What?
What else?
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
It's Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
This is Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
This is Cheikh Ndiguel Baye Gore
Ndiguel
Cheikh Ndiguel
Your grandfather opened the way for us
And we all humble ourselves in surrender
To become Baye
Fall
He says Fall
Here are the Baye Falls
Fall
Here is the Baye Falls Fall
Fall
Here is the Baye Falls Fall
Fall
Here are the Baye falls fall fall fall fall
Track 03
LABANE
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Labane dianou ma wowé wone
Aziz Labane dianou ma wowé wone
Damani Sarakhe thi dig keur gui beuy bi ni “mbé” may ndaw gni ken rayouguma
Ken rayouguma
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The Labane to whom I was called
Aziz, the Labane to whom I was called
I arrived in the middle of the house and the goat said “mbé” and told the children that no one would kill me
Cut me off and said no one killed me
Track 04
SENEGAL
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Sénégal sama reew, beug na sama reew
Sénégal mon pays, j'aime mon pays
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Senegal my country, I love my country
Senegal my country, I love my country
Track 05
LIGGUEYIL
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Liggueyil (pron “leg-gey-yeel”) is about the cultural value of working hard for long-term success, because there are no shortcuts to true commitment. Bright, peppery rhythms and a minor key blend on this track about respect, faith, and the future that awaits the one who can’t stop, won’t stop.
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Dole si binguaye ndaw soko amé
Demal ngua ligueyi
Yaw mi deh sama waye
Ligueyil
Ligueyil
Sama waye ligueyeul
Enh Dawal
Ligueyil Demal ligueyi
Ligueyil Dawal
Temouy deug temouy deug temouy deug Baba
Diokh ma dale ma dieul
Diokh ma dale ma dieul
Sayinde sayinde sayinde
Filmel dale sa téléphone baye
Waw waw waw
Enh neiweul neiweul neiweul
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The strength is in the hands of the young, so if you’ve got it, get to work! You—yeah, you—get to work!
Work! Work! My friend, go work!
Move! Work! Go hustle! Work! Move!The truth is the truth, the truth is the truth, the truth is the truth, Baba!
Give me some, hand it over, give me some, hand it over!
Wash up, wash up, wash up, clean yourself up!
Put your phone down, man—yeah, yeah, yeah!Move, move, move!
Track 06
Laobéyi Ño Di Samay Xarit
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Ma xol Mbaye bamou nekhma ma def ko kharite
Fek ko Colobane mou yatal ma sabar
Ma dieul car rapide fay ko 200
Mou wathier ma
Guediawaye
Marché bou bësse
Ma dame kogne fek fa Mame Gore mouy décoré sabar
Yat pek
Tek si diourome niari trou
Kou bagne laobé boula seugeum
La boula seugeum lalé biba
Yakoungua Khadime teugeul
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I watched Mbaye until I made him my friend
I visited him in Colobane, he made a sabar for me
I took the bus for 200f and went to Guediawaye, to the new market
On the corner of the street I found Mame Gore, who decorated sabars with pegs and 7 holes
If someone dislikes the Laobé, they need not feel ashamed; their sense of shame is already gone
Khadim, play!
Track 07
YaNGAP
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Rang na rang
Ba reine di dewene
Sama khol bi nantander rek la
Ba reine di dewene ñu dem
Dioubeul baniy khothei say beugne geunoul waye
Domou diambour koukoy yake dangua ko diouroul waye
Thiossani mame la Yangap
Thiossani mame la wone li deh demb la deh
Khalifa Mbaye Borom Pikine li dembe la
Aziz Mbaye Khala li demb la
Douma nangou yake thiossani mame ndakh demb la
Demb la deh demb la deh li deh demb la
Tidjiane Borom Louga li demb la
Mbaye Camara Mbaye Kebemer li deh demb la
Douma nangou yake thiossani mame ndakh demb la deh
Kay leen danse kay leen danse
Kay leen danse kay leen danse
Kay leen danse kay leen danse
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Let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance, let's dance
Let's dance, let's dance
Track 08
BELLIO MBAYE
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Immerse yourself in ‘Bellio Mbaye,’ a polyrhythmic, percussion-driven healing ceremony song that channels the heartbeat of West Africa, radiating an energetic trance while evoking the artist's deep lineage in the lyrics: hyping the ancestors including his grandmother who also sang the song. Female vocals weave in and out of this magic carpet ride of sabar drums, kora, and electric guitar, sure to please eclectic "world music" fans of artists like Ali Farka Toure and Zakir Hussain.
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Ndiadiane djiné
djiné xam sa keur teh xamo keureum
Ndiadiane djiné djiné yi
Codou Fall Mboup
Ndiadiane djiné
djiné xam sa keur teh xamo keureum
Ndiadiane djiné Mbouba dialli
Bellio mo di Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way ni Bellio mo di Bellio Mbaye
Mo di Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani
ay way ni Bellio mo di bellio Mbaye
mo di Bellio mbaye
Bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way bellio mo di bellio mbaye
bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani
Bellio mo di bellio mbaye
Bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo di bellio mbaye
Bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo di bellio mbaye
kon yayou Birima Ndiaye bilay ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo di bellio mbaye
bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
Ndeungeul Sidi Dior Ngoné
mo di Codou Fall Mboup
Ndeungeul Sidi Dior
mo di Codou Fall Mboup
sa ngan gui toy na nekh na bilay ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo di bellio mbaye
bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo di bellio mbaye
yayou Abdou Lahat Ndiaye bilay ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way ni bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo si bellio mbaye
Bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
Sa guan dou xarani
ay way ni Bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo di bellio mbaye
Codou yayou Sagar Ndiaye ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani mame
ay way ni bellio mo di bellio mbaye
mo di bellio mbaye
Bellio mbaye ngan gui toy na nekh na ya meun ngan
sa guan dou xarani
thiey
Neungeul Sidi Dior Ngoné
Codou Fall Mboup
Laobé Xewer Ndiaye Ndiogou nioy mame ya
Sama mame
Codou Fall Mboup
Anta Samb
Moy Baye ba
Ndeye Makhouradia Sène moy yaye dia
magou Diakhou Mboup , Codou
magou Diabel Mboup , Codou
Fall Mboup
magou Ndeye Mboup , Codou
boul door boul door
dafa andak ndayam
boul door way
Signel desouko reuk
boko reuké deuk diam la
signel desouko reuk mame
na bari na bari na bari
waw waw
thiey thiey thiey
na bari na bari na bari
yayou Birima Ndiaye la
yayou Abdou Lahat Ndiaye sama nidiaye
yayou Sagar Ndiaye la
mamou Pape Modou
mamou Niane mou Thiorro Mboup
mamou Ndeye Fatou Tall
mamou Karime Ndiaye la
mamou Raye Ndiaye la
mamou Khadim Mbaye la
mamou Mame Diarra
mamou Bouba Ndiaye la
mamou Souzane ak Birima
mamou Youssou ak Modou
mamou Djibi Faye Guana
mamou Doudou Falla
mamou Médoune Matar
mamou Sountou ak Ada
mamou Bigué Mbaye , moy taw thi Souzane
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Djinn Ndiadiane
The djinn knows your house without you knowing his house
Djinn Ndiadiane
Codou Fall Mboup
Djinn Ndiadiane
The djinn knows your house without you knowing his house
Ndiadiane Djinn Mbouba Dialli
Bellio is bellio mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It's Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It's Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else
Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Birima Ndiaye's mother you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Ndeungeul Sidi Dior Ngoné
It’s Codou Fall Mboup
Ndeungeul Sidi Dior
It’s Codou Fall Mboup
The visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Abdou Lahat Ndiaye's mother, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Codou, Sagar Ndiaye's mother, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else, grandma
Oh Bellio it’s Bellio Mbaye
It’s Bellio Mbaye
Bellio Mbaye the visit was good, you know how to take care of your guests
Your guests won't eat anywhere else
Thi!
Neungeul Sidi Dior Ngoné
Codou Fall Mboup
Laobé Xewer Ndiaye Ndiogou are his grandparents
My grandmother
Codou Fall Mboup
Anta Samb
Is his father
Ndeye Makhouradia Sène is his mother
Diakhou Mboup’s big sister, Codou
Diabel Mboup's big sister, Codou
Autumn Mboup
Ndeye Mboup’s big sister, Codou
Don't hit her, don't hit her
She is with her mother
Don’t strike
Don't hit the porcupine
If you do it the thorns will prick you
Don't hit the porcupine
Na bari na bari na bari
Yes! Yes!
Thi! Thi! Thi! Thi! Thi!
Na bari na bari na bari
She is the mother of Birima Ndiaye
She is the mother of Abdou Lahat Ndiaye, my uncle
She is Sagar Ndiaye's mother
Pape Modou's grandmother
Niane Thiorro Mboup's grandmother
Ndeye Fatou Tall's grandmother
She is Karime Ndiaye's grandmother
She's Raye Ndiaye's grandmother
This is Khadim Mbaye's grandmother
Mame Diarra's grandmother
She is Bouba Ndiaye's grandmother
Souzane and Birima’s grandmother
Youssou and Modou's grandmother
Djibi Faye Guana's grandmother
Doudou Falla's grandmother
Médoune Matar’s grandmother
Sountou and Ada's grandmother
The grandmother of Bigué Mbaye, Souzane’s eldest
ALBUM & PROJECT CREDITS
Aba Diop—Sabars, vocals, compositions
Noumoucounda Cissoko—Kora
Jason Hosier—Guitar
Samba Ndokh Mbaye—Tama Thierno Sarr—Bass
Zeyna Diop—Vocals
Aziz Mbaye—Additional sabars
Khadim Gueye—Additional sabars
Mbacke Sene—Additional sabars
Produced by Bec Stupak Diop and Aba Diop
Recording, post-production, mix, and master by Cheikh Ibrahima Ndiaye (Lamp) at Lamp Studios, Dakar, Senegal
Photograph and design by Bec Stupak Diop
Copywriting by Rachael Rice
Translations by Aby Diaw and Mariama Diaw
Special thanks to
Barbara & Alex Waugh, Steven Stupak, Jini Stupak, Rachael Rice, Rebecca Howland, Jason Howland, Debi & John Medeski, Devi Reddy, David Lai, Greg Kastelman, Park Avenue Artists, Janet Froio, Joe Serling, Andrew J. Dunn, Sydney Margetson, Nils Johnson & Good Molecules, Cecilia Cruz, Joanne Easton, Dianne Ott, Kai Altair, Moses Hamborg, Katherina Olschbaur, Antoine Tempé, Christina Montoya, Peter Steedman, Maggie Siskind, John Michael Hosier Jr., Papa Lloyd Narcisse
Zeyna Diop, Mouhamad Diop, Maman Ndeye, Bigue Mbaye, Aby Diaw, Mariama Diaw, Bebé Rose Diakité, Aumar Maram Ndiaye, Madji Sock, Abdourahmane Diop, Mame Goor Laobé, Mbaye Laobé, Lamine Diedhiou, Pape Seck Taxi, Baye Philippe Monier, Alice Monier, Lamine Mbaye, Cheikh Mouhamadou Dimbira Ndiaye, Sidi Lam, Ismaela Sall, Ibou Gueye, Bouba Ndiaye, Mbaye Fall, Sanga Baye, Lassana, Papis Cissoko, Pa Assane Samb, Mara Seck, Stéphane Costantini, Badu Rasta, Mouhamad Babou, Niane Binta Sene, Cheikh Jànn, Papa Talibuya Dimbira, Serigne Cheikh Ahkma Fall
I have many friends and I know each one supports me from afar. I would love to thank everyone here, but that will come with future albums. I love you all very much.
Dedicated to the memory of my father Malick Diop, my mother Soukaina Suzanne Ndiaye, my brother Thione Diop, my brother Pa Adama Diop, my good friend Papis Seck, and Papa Seydina Sene.