Africa-Press – Gambia. Gambian music star Alieu Badara, widely celebrated as the voice of the Smiling Coast, is winning fresh praise with his latest project, Balafon a unique five-track album that revives traditional West African instruments for a new generation.
Departing from the Mbalax style that made him a household name, Alieu has crafted a new sound he calls GamAfro, blending instruments like the Balafon, Halam, Kora, Dimbeh, Riti, Bukara-Buk, and Leket (calabash) with modern rhythms to produce music that bridges cultures and generations.
“Many young people today have never heard some of these instruments,” Alieu said recently. “With Balafon, I want to keep our heritage alive but speak to the world at the same time.”
The album’s five songs Be Positive, Tamalaa, Believe, Impact Foundation and Giko have already started attracting international attention. His performance at the recent Africa–U.S. Summit in Luanda, Angola, drew rave reviews and showcased the global potential of the GamAfro sound.
Balafon is more than just a musical shift for Alieu Badara it is a bold statement about preserving and celebrating The Gambia’s rich cultural heritage while pushing creative boundaries. With this project, he is proving that tradition and innovation can move hand in hand.
The album is available for streaming and aims to reach audiences both at home and abroad, carrying the sounds of Gambian roots to the world stage one Balafon beat at a time.
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