Recognizable by his clear voice, Carlou D is an artist who combines the mystical and spiritual Zikr music of the Baye Fall, a Sufi community in Senegal, with the grooves of funk, elements of Senegalese mbalax and Afro-pop to create an authentic musical style. This unique blend has led him to international success as he has been invited to festivals such as Womad, Womex, Africa Festival Hertme, Africa Oye, Glatt & Verkehrt.

Carlou D, real name Ibrahima Loucard, was born in the suburbs of Dakar, the capital of Senegal. He started his musical career as a member of Positive Black Soul: one of the most famous hip-hop groups in the country, and he was supported by the legendary Youssou N’Dour before collaborating with him. Today he may have left hip-hop behind him, but he hasn’t lost the spirit of the genre: “The part of hip-hop that I kept in my music is the courage to be direct”, says the guitarist, singer and dancer. Deeply rooted in African rhythms, the successful Senegalese singer and performer’s repertoire contains songs with engaged lyrics and a mystical dimension. Carlou D is undeniably one of the big names on the contemporary Senegalese music scene.

• Carlou D: vocals, guitar
• Mouhamadou Doumbouya: percussion
• Ibrahima Ndir: calabash
• Djiby Diabate: balafon
• Fabrice Devienne: keyboard
• Old Kante Magassa: percussion