Sura Susso is a Kora player & singer/songwriter whose rich vitality shines brightly through the music. A Gambian artist based in the UK, he has a superb art of merging his traditional musical lineage, alongside a richly contemporary style.
Collaborating with artists from various regions of the world, he blends his gift with a diverse range of styles, manifesting a richly-sounding union.
Born in Bakoteh, Gambia, Sura hails from a well-respected griot family. His parents are Mamudou Susso and Fatou Bintu Cissokho, and both their lineages ascend from Griot ancestry. Tied to West Africa’s caste system, griots/Jalis’ were the musical oral storytellers. Channelling essential information out to their society, they relayed knowledge of ancestral heritage and were also mediators in the community. The griot’s role was kept alive through kinship, fathers would transmit their musical abilities over to their sons.
Raised in a musical environment, Sura’s music initiation opened up, around the age of four, when his fingers began to explore the kora. Later down the line, he would accompany his father to various events and celebrations. Mamudou Susso played kora, while Sura tapped rhythm on the instrument. Many of Sura’s siblings have kept their musical family heirloom alive. His brother Seckou Keita, is an established world music artist, while his brother, Suntou Susso is steadily rising as a contemporary artist.
Aged seventeen, Sura, the percussionist, travelled to the UK. Uniting with his brother, he became part of The Seckou Keita Quintet, and the collective toured various parts of the world. While in the band, Sura soaked up a surge of musical knowledge, and when the tour came to an end, the experience led him to play Kora, with various musical artists.
The year 2011, became Sura’s year of opening his journey as a solo artist. His debut album titled ‘Sila Kang” showcased his artistic talent, as a West African kora player. Songs such as “Chorobai Samba, Massaneh Ceesay, and Jalikunda” demonstrated his multi-talent as a musician, and singer. The album also featured Sura’s sister as a backing singer.
From that day forward, Sura has performed in many countries across continents and has collaborated with a variety of respected artists such as Habib Koite, Baaba Maal, Sona Jobarteh, Ling Pen, and Max Baillie to name a few. Infusing his unique musical essence, he complements any artist he plays alongside.
In 2021, he released his second album, “Tila Saba,” his songs displayed his distinctive approach of merging traditional melodies alongside modern up-tempo rhythms.
The same year, Sura was invited to perform at the “Dubai Expo 20, A remarkable event, laid out over a year and half, it showcased incredible musical talent from across the globe, and had visitors from all across the world. During his seven-month stay in the country, Sura Susso showcased his amazing talent as a Gambian kora player. He is an artist who radiates heart-warming energy, seeping it through all of his performances.
There is a lot more to come from the Gambian musical storyteller.
Havana White ©
Gambia,
The Gambia is referred to as the “Smiling Coast of Africa,” and is the smallest country in mainland Africa. Home to a population of around two and a half million people, the country is surrounded by Senegal. Back in time, it was one country and was divided by European colonisers, many people between Senegal & Gambia are inter-connected families. Mandigo, Wolof and English are the main languages, and like Senegal, it is rich in culture & tradition.
The Gambia has become a popular tourist destination for many Europeans with beautiful coastal regions, friendly people, and good food.
Reggae Music has a big influence on the younger generation and many Jamaican popular artists perform in the country.
Rich in traditional music and home to an abundance of Kora players such as Foday Musa Suso, Jaliba Kuyateh “King of Kora”, and Dembo Konte, to name a few. The modern-day Gambian kora artists, continue to flourish their musical heritage.
Havana White ©