sousou & Maher Cissoko

20 Years of Music, Love & Connection – Celebrating 26/27

Sousou & Maher Cissoko are an award-winning Swedish-Senegalese duo whose music crosses borders, cultures, and genres. For 20 years, they have shared their unique blend of West African musical traditions, soulful vocals, and infectious rhythms with audiences in almost 40 countries around the world.

Their story began when Sousou, a singer and multi-instrumentalist from southern Sweden, travelled to West Africa to study the kora with masters in Gambia, Mali, and Senegal. There she met Maher, born into the renowned Cissoko family of griots and kora players. United by their love for music, they began a journey together that would take them from intimate gatherings to international festivals and concert halls around the world.

With two koras, guitar, percussion, and voices, Sousou & Maher create a vibrant sound inspired by the griot tradition, mbalax, reggae, folk, soul, and afrobeat. Singing in five languages, their music carries messages of unity, hope, and human connection.

Over the years, they have performed at festivals and venues including the Kennedy Center (USA), Winnipeg Folk Festival (Canada), Festival sur le Niger (Mali), Shanghai World Music Festival (China), and Førdefestivalen (Norway). Their achievements include several Swedish music awards and performances at international music industry events, including WOMEX and Folk Alliance International.

Their story has been featured in documentaries on Swedish television and radio. They have also performed at the prestigious Polar Music Prize ceremony, in the presence of the Swedish Royal Family, honouring Youssou N'Dour alongside Swedish hip-hop star Timbuktu.

Beyond the stage, they share their passion for music and cultural exchange through Jaliya Camp, their creative meeting place in Senegal.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2026/27, Sousou & Maher are currently creating their fifth album, BIMOYA (Humanity Today), set for release in 2027. Inspired by the griot tradition of reflecting society through music, the album explores identity, peace, resilience, and the importance of human connection in a changing world.

At the heart of everything they do is a belief in the power of music to bring people together.

Their artistic work has received support from the Swedish Arts Council (Kulturrådet) and the Swedish Arts Grants Committee (Konstnärsnämnden).

Photography by: Sandy Haessner