MARIAMA NDURE reclaims her self-definition on “Rituals”, her debut album released today.

To create the music of “Rituals,” Ndure, then a graduate student at the Norwegian Academy of Music, traveled to Gambia and embedded herself within a group of griots — West African musicians, storytellers and keepers of traditions and culture — to better understand the land and people from which she was created and to more fully grasp ownership of what it means to be Gambian.

Defying definitions of genre with its combination of West African musical traditions paired with elements of R&B, soul, hip hop, modern jazz and improvisation, “Rituals” sonically mirrors the sea change of collective liberation that’s washing over the world.

“For me, this album is about not being afraid to take space,” Ndure says. “These songs saw me rebuilding myself and in turn showing people that there are many layers to being a Black, female composer and musician. The world likes to put restrictions on us because of the way we look; they assume we must have a certain type of sound. Really, there are no limitations.” – Mariama Ndure.

Musicians
Mariama Ndure: vocals

Liv Andrea Hauge: Piano and backing vocals Ibou Cissokho: Kora

Joel Ring: Bass

Xander Crook: Drums