Sousou & Maher Cissoko - from Sweden and Senegal - are one of Sweden's most loved world music acts. Both grew up in families of musicians and it was the interest and love for the West African kora (a harp lute) that brought them together. The songs they create together carry important social messages in the tradition of Maher’s ancestors, the jali or griots of western Africa, the storytellers and political commentators of their day. Sousou & Maher are modern day proponents of this tradition.
An important guideline for the troubadour culture - of which the kora is a big part - is the preservation of the musical heritage through the musicians’ continuous search for new ways. In Sousou & Maher Cissoko’s case that means magnificent kora playing and soulful singing combined with a rhythmic energy and influences from reggae, mbalax, folk, soul and jazz.
“I can’t be a griot in the same way as my ancestors. But I can be a griot of today. My time is now”. - Maher Cissoko
