Sidiki Camara has spent his career moving between countries, traditions and musical communities. His new album Ankaben, released on September 4, 2026, brings those experiences together in a project that celebrates cultural meeting points. The album’s title means “Humanity,” and its lead single arrives on August 21.
Born in Mali and now based in Oslo, Camara began playing music as a child and later chose to dedicate his life to a professional music career. He lived in Brussels from 1989 to 2006 before relocating to Norway, where he has become an important figure in cross-cultural music.
His career includes work with some of the most respected names in global music. He toured the United States with Boubacar Traoré, later joined Bill Frisell’s trio on a European tour and contributed to Frisell’s Grammy-winning album Intercontinentals. His wider collaborations include Ali Farka Touré, Mamady Keita, Karpe and Esperanza Spalding.
For Ankaben, Camara works with Bendik Hofseth, Unni Løvlid, Sarah Camille, Erik Sollid, Jacob Young, Audun Erlien and Eirik Askerøi. Recorded at Rainbow Studios in Oslo and mixed and mastered by Martin Abrahamsen, the album blends West African tradition with Norwegian musical voices in a spirit of improvisation and respect.
The album will be launched at Cosmopolite Scene in Oslo on October 18, 2026. With Ankaben, Camara presents more than a new collection of songs; he offers a vision of music as a shared human language capable of connecting people across borders.