Sekou has always masterfully exploited the fact that spoken word poetry is not tethered to any musical genre; this album takes that freedom to new heights. With a potpourri of musical styles ranging from afrobeat, soul and alternative, to hip-hop, electronica and orchestral, KOUMAMI’s musicality makes it impossible for the ear to get bored. Yet, as breathtaking as the music is, make no mistake, the poetry is unabashedly the star of the album. Sekou’s poetic style is instantly arresting, his words seem to reveal our most carnal truths, and his vocal delivery must have been the inspiration for the phrase “voice of God”. As if that wasn’t enough, KOUMAMI’s star-studded list of features, writers, and producers – including Jordin Sparks, Omari Hardwick, David Ryan Harris, Celeste Prince, Marcus Bellringer, Eric Dawkins, and Matt B – take Sekou’s creative, unexpected approaches to topics and elevates them to new commercial heights. This album will make you want to fall in love, climb a mountain, hug your child, start a revolution, and jump off a cliff while building wings on the way down… all in just under one hour. There are few records that give you permission to feel as vulnerable, as hopeful, as human, and as powerful as KOUMAMI. With each passing track, the album title begins to make perfect sense.
KOUMAMI will leave your mouth watering for each word, your ears salivating for Sekou’s sound, and your soul shamelessly licking its fingers, savoring the taste of NEXT.