Africa Yontii, by Tidiane Thiam

video shot in Podor, Senegal by Adelina Sasnauskaitė

Africa Yontii

by Tidiane Thiam

supported by

Jeff Economy / Snackpoint Charlie Radio thumbnail

h.u.e (hope-uplifts-everything) thumbnail

more...

	/

Streaming + Download

Pre-order of Africa Yontii. You get 2 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released.

Purchasable with gift card

releases May 17, 2024

$8 USD or more
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Includes digital pre-order of Africa Yontii. You get 2 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released.

shipping out on or around May 17, 2024

Purchasable with gift card

$22 USD or more

1.	Dannibe Pine
2.	Neene Africa 04:17		buy track
3.	N.A.N.K.A.
4.	Too
5.	Yewende 03:52 video	info	buy track
6.	Oo Duna
7.	Yangue
8.	Podor Douera Gasba
9.	Malisadio

about

“It’s time. Africa, it’s time. It’s time that Africa changes. It’s time our leaders change. Everything that happens in Africa is extraordinary. We have everything: water, earth, sun, fields of oil, gas. We have all this in Africa, but Africa is still poor. It’s time we change our way of thinking. It’s time for Africans to take their destiny into their own hands. If not, others will take it.”

This is the message instrumental guitarist Tidiane Thiam hopes to convey with his new solo album, Africa Yontii, a Pulaar title that translates to “Africa, It's Time.”

To a casual listener, Thiam’s bold statement starkly contrasts with his melodic playing. But a closer listen to Thiam’s expressive playing reveals a thoughtful voice that stands out from the crop of contemporary guitarists. “What I should be singing (with words) I’m instead saying with my guitar,” he says.

Hailing from the sleepy fishing Senegalese fishing town of Podor, home of the great Baaba Maal, Thiam taught himself guitar by playing along to late-night radio broadcasts of Manding music. He soon developed his style, often reworking Pulaar folk themes into his compositions. On Africa Yontii, Thiam’s third album for Sahel Sounds, he teamed up with hip-hop beat maker Ndiaye Moctar from studio M.N. Records to provide accompaniment, integrating unexpected elements such as field recordings and electronic sounds.

In the liner notes for Africa Yontii, Thiam voices his concerns about the lack of opportunities for Africa’s youth and the lonely road that can come with leaving behind loved ones in the hope of a better life. He also sprinkles in a philosophical query about the eroding state of the world alongside two more hopeful, traditional offerings in the form of wedding and river songs. Despite the sometimes heavy subject matter, Thiam’s love for his homeland and heritage shines through.

Tidiane Thiam's Africa Yontii reclaims the maligned “world music” genre within a sonic space that has long been dominated by others telling the story. As the title suggests - It’s time!

credits

releases May 17, 2024

recorded at - M. N RECORDS

Tidiane Thiam (acoustic guitar)

Samba Ba (electric guitar) on Yangue and Nanka

Alioune Ba (calebasse) on Yangue and Nanka

Makhtar N'diaye - percussions programming

Album design by Miles Wintner

This album is dedicated to the memory of ADAMA NIASS (nephew of the great Baaba Maal, the band leader of Dande Lenol) - a friend, a nephew and a brother who passed away in December 2022.

license

about

Tidiane Thiam Podor, Senegal

Guitarist, photographer, visual artist, and folklorist Tidiane Thiam hails from Podor, a small riverside town in the far North of Senegal.

Recommendations

discography

Africa Yontii

May 2024
Siftorde

May 2020
Waande Kadde

Jan 2017

contact / help

Contact Tidiane Thiam

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

Tidiane Thiam recommends:

Yiilo Jaam
by Lewlewal de Podor

Lewlewal de Podor album on Sahel Sounds. Features Tidiane Thiam on guitar. Tidiane Thiam
go to album
Sahel Sounds Label Sampler 2
by Various Artists

Sahel Sounds' second "Name Your Price" label sampler. Tidiane Thiam
go to album
Sahel Sounds Label Sampler
by Various Artists

Sahel Sounds' first "Name Your Price" sampler Tidiane Thiam
go to album

If you like Tidiane Thiam, you may also like:

Yaral Sa Doom
by Wau Wau Collectif

supported by 42 fans who also own “Africa Yontii”

Top tracks: Mouhamodou Lo And His Children, Si Tu Savais Juste ......and Legui Legui's flute is just stunning ! pigneguy
go to album
At Pioneer Works
by Les Filles de Illighadad

supported by 40 fans who also own “Africa Yontii”

I love these women. the voices mesh together perfectly; also the world music is exceptional. I have all of their albums and they're all excellent. Give them a listen. Steve Lake
go to album
The Room
by Fabiano do Nascimento & Sam Gendel

featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 9, 2024
go to album