Cheikh Lô Returns with Monumental New Album

After a decade away from the recording studio, Senegalese music legend Cheikh Lô has returned with a masterwork. His new album, Maame, released by World Circuit Records, is more than a collection of songs, it is a profound statement of resilience, spirituality and Pan-African vision.

Cheikh Lô’s last studio album, Balbalou (2015), brought him international acclaim and the historic distinction of becoming the first African artist to receive the WOMEX Artist Award. Fans anticipated a swift follow-up, but Lô chose patience. He waited nearly a decade until the moment felt right.

That moment came during the stillness of the global pandemic. With international travel halted and concert halls closed, the artist transformed his own home into a studio, working closely with his son as sound engineer. Out of that intimate, determined effort, the seeds of Maame were sown.

The demos soon reached longtime collaborator Nick Gold, who brought in London-based label World Circuit Records and helped shape the project into a global production. From there, the album grew into a truly international collaboration, with musicians contributing from Senegal, Benin, Congo, the United States, England, Canada and the Czech Republic.

A Pan-African Soundscape, Spiritual Offering

On Maame, Cheikh Lô not only composed and arranged all the music but also played guitar, drums, timbales, congas, shakers and backing vocals. His versatility shines through as the album traverses a breathtaking range of genres: Afro-acoustic, Mbalax, African Salsa, Afro-blues, Reggae, Afro-pop, Jazz, Classical music and Rumba.

Traditional African instrumentation — balafon, kora, sabar, talking drums and African flute — anchors the sound, giving the album a distinctive authenticity. It is a musical tapestry that crosses borders yet remains deeply rooted in Africa.

The album’s title, Maame, is a tribute to Cheikh Lô’s late spiritual guide Maame Massamba Ndiaye, who passed away in 2014. As a devoted member of the Baye Fall, a branch of Senegal’s Mouride community, Lô imbues the record with spiritual depth, paying homage to revered religious leaders including Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, founder of the Mouride Brotherhood and Mame Cheikh Ibrahima Fall, founder of the Baye Fall movement.

Yet Maame is not only an album of faith, it is also a Pan-African manifesto. On the reggae-inspired anthem “African Development,” Lô calls for unity and progress across the continent. His role as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador also echoes in the powerful song “Carte d’Identité,” which highlights the plight of stateless people.

Reflections on Humanity

Beyond politics and spirituality, Maame delves into the complexities of human behaviour. Tracks such as “Ndekeyoo” (friendly betrayal), “Jikko” (kindness), and “Doylou” (dignity) reflect Lô’s sharp observations of society. True to his reputation as one of Africa’s finest composers of love songs, he closes the album with two tender ballads, “Koura” and “Nilelefe,” which reveal his intimate, romantic side.

Sung in Wolof, Dioula, Malinké, and French, Maame is a celebration of Africa’s linguistic and cultural diversity. It is both global in reach and authentically African in spirit, an album that honours tradition while speaking to contemporary realities.

Cheikh Lô’s Enduring Legacy

At 68, Cheikh Lô continues to prove why he is regarded as one of Africa’s most vital musical voices. With Maame, he offers not just music, but wisdom, faith and a vision for unity, reminding us that art can guide, inspire and heal.

Maame is available now worldwide in digital, CD and vinyl formats. You can listen/order HERE

Vivian Asamoah