Ben Zabo

2012's most exciting new afrobeat band hails from Bamako, Mali. Ben Zabo's debut album is full of funky and gritty tunes, wonderful musicianship, and songs of peace and hope. The album is a testament to the lesser-known culture of the Bwa people.

It is the first international release of a Malian of Bo descendant with all songs in the Bo language and rhythms. Ben Zabo and his band feel like they have a mission, and it is through music that they intend to accomplish it. Their mission is to promote the "Bo" culture at a national, African, and international level with music, dance, and Bwa traditional apparel.

The name "Ben Zabo," which he calls himself in Bomu etymology, means "son of Bo and Bambara," evoking his belonging to the double cultural identity Bambara and Bo. While perpetuating the traditions of his native Bwatun, Ben Zabo developed a mixed style of rhythms and melodies of Bwa in which one can detect sounds and influences from other modern and Western musical styles: Afrobeat, funk, reggae, blues, rock, and even jazz.

With modern instruments and musical arrangements that highlight his intimate songs, his music is also enriched with Malian instruments such as balafon, tama, and the ara'o bara, etc. In his compositions, Ben Zabo develops themes relating to different societal values such as brotherly love, peace, justice, tolerance, solidarity, work, and good governance.