Singer Cheikh Ibra Fam Releases New Single “Sali” | WATCH NEW VIDEO! New Album “Adouna (Life)” Coming in October 2025
Cheikh Ibra Fam Shares New Single “Sali”
Out Now
The second single from his upcoming album
Adouna (Life), out in October on Cumbancha
A heartfelt tribute to African beauty and love, with a music video set in the historic city of Saint-Louis, Senegal
Following the success of his single “Xam Xam,” Senegalese artist Cheikh Ibra Fam returns with a new side of his musical personality on “Sali”, a soulful love song that celebrates African femininity, grace, and authenticity. The single will be released on June 17, 2025 by the Cumbancha record label, as the second preview from Cheikh’s upcoming album Adouna (Life), due in October.
Short for Salimata, a common and evocative name for women across West Africa, “Sali” is a musical love letter wrapped in laid-back mbalax rhythms, infused with funky interwoven makossa guitar lines and Cheikh’s signature warm vocals. The track is a cross-continental collaboration that brings together musicians from Senegal, Reunion Island (vocals, guitar), The Gambia (guitar), Rwanda (arrangements), and the United States (mixing and mastering), underscoring the global spirit of Cheikh’s music.
The accompanying video, filmed in the UNESCO-listed town of Saint-Louis, follows the radiant Sali— portrayed by Leanne Nackobiane—as she makes her way through the city, engaging joyfully with children, elders, and daily life. The clip radiates intimacy, humility, and humanity, presenting a Senegalese woman who embraces her natural self, unfiltered and proud. “Sali,” says Cheikh, “is not just about romantic love. It’s about the beauty of simplicity, self-acceptance, and connection.”
A former member of Senegal’s legendary Orchestra Baobab and a recipient of the Charles Cros Academy prize, Cheikh Ibra Fam has established himself as a powerful voice in contemporary African music. Deeply influenced by his Baye Fall spiritual tradition and a wide array of musical styles from Otis Redding to Orchestra Aragón, Cheikh weaves tradition and innovation with poetic grace.
With “Sali,” Cheikh adds a new chapter to his story—a reminder that love, like music, can transcend borders and remind us of our shared humanity.
Follow Cheikh Ibra Fam:
Instagram: @cheikhibrafam
Spotify & Apple Music: Cheikh Ibra Fam
YouTube: Cheikh Ibra Fam Official
Upcoming Shows
June 24 @ DROM – NYC, NY
July 6 @ Northern Lights Festival – Sudbury, Canada
July 9 @ Middlesex Bandstand – Middlesex, VT
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