Assiko Golden Band de Grand Yoff / MAGG TEKKI

Assiko Golden Band de Grand Yoff is the sprawling drum collective tearing up the suburbs of Dakar’s nightlife scene. Senegalese poet Djiby Ly (Wau Wau Collectif) and the singers are backed by a gang of drummers playing on fourteen different percussive instruments plus horns, winds, balafon, and the occasional accordion, combining Count Ossie’s spiritually elevated polyrhythms with Fela Kuti’s orchestra and
Tony Allen’s groove. And perhaps some caribbean vibes and also a drum and holler gang playing in a Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans?

Based in the impoverished neighborhood of Grand Yoff and operating as a mutual aid group for the
larger community, the band builds its songs on
ancient rhythms passed on from Senegal, Cameroon and the infamous Gorée Island. In both Wolof and French, Djiby preaches a message of uplift and cooperation rooted in the Sufi teachings of the Mouride Brotherhood, as well as Christianity and animist religions. “Senegal, my life my joy” is the call and response chanted over cascading, infinitely layered drum patterns on opener “La Musique Du Cœur.”