Sahad, radiant champion of ‘musical pan-Africanism’

With exhilarating charisma, stage energy and impassioned lyrics, Senegalese musician Sahad has created a unique body of work from a kaleidoscope of influences, culminating in his new pan-African album.

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Seckou Keita performs during a concert at Dakar's French Institute in Dakar.

At the heart of Sahad Sarr’s ingenuity lies a quest for independence, his pride in being African and a deep connection to Senegal, where he leads a number of projects meant to show young people that it is possible to dream big in the country. A songwriter, guitarist, singer and founder of his eponymous band SAHAD, the musician has been called the “Senegalese James Brown”. Even if some say there is a touch of Nigerian Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti in his trance-like rhythms or a hint of Mali music legend Ali Farka Toure, Sahad’s sound is unique. In his ten years of work, he has become a leading figure in Senegal’s alternative music scene, demonstrating that not all of the country's hits have to be in its homegrown Mbalax style.

“The major record labels in Africa, Europe and the United States always have trouble defining my music”, Sahad, 37, said. “I make jazz fusion mixed with Afrobeat, funk, and traditional rhythms from Senegal, Mali and the Serer people”, he said, referring to the ethnic community from which he hails.