Recipient of an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom in July 2023, and multiple winner of the Best African Artist award in London, Seckou Keïta is a true ambassador of Senegalese music. Originally from Casamance, this virtuoso of the kora, percussion, and composition performs nearly 120 concerts a year on the greatest stages in Europe and Latin America, with a repertoire that fuses Mandingo traditions and contemporary influences.

With nearly 15 albums to his name, Seckou Keïta is one of Africa's greatest prides thanks to his exceptional musical performances and numerous international accolades. Based in the UK since 1999, he has collaborated with artists such as Youssou N'Dour, Salif Keita, and Omar Sosa, and was named Musician of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2019. His royal Keïta lineage (descendants of Emperor Sundiata Keïta) and griotic lineage (through his mother, the Cissokho) make him a modern griot, preserving and innovating the Casamance repertoire.

Currently in Senegal for professional reasons, Seckou Keïta was honored at the Casamance Music Awards, where he is among the most prominent artists in the southern capital. This recognition, obtained in 2022 for his contribution to the promotion of cultural diversity, reinforces his role as an ambassador for Casamance and Senegal internationally. He is also preparing his next tour in Australia, scheduled for November, with his group Homeland Band, promising concerts combining kora, percussion, and transitional poetry.

In an exclusive interview with Seneweb in June 2025, Seckou Keïta reflected on his meteoric career, his honorary doctorate—which he dedicated to his mother Bintou Cissokho, his grandfather Jali Kemo Cissokho, and all the griots who pass on their knowledge—and the challenges of contemporary African music. “The kora is a bridge between past and future, a living memory. I am proud to carry the colors of Senegal and Casamance on the world stage, but Africa must invest more in its talents so that our music can fully shine,” he said.