Lëk Sèn ADD
Lëk Sèn was born in Ngor, a fishing village in Senegal. From an early age, he found refuge in music, first expressing himself through rap with the group SSK, a journey that led him to the finals of the prestigious RFI Discoveries Award in 2007. However, his true artistic breakthrough came in 2010 when he decided to carve his own path as a solo artist. His solo career began as he moved from his native Senegal to Paris, where his musical universe began to evolve. Though his early work resonated with hip-hop, Lëk Sèn quickly gravitated towards folk and reggae, finding a deeper connection with these genres.
That same year, he released Burn, his first solo album, under the Makasound label. Supported by France Inter, the project showcased his ability to fuse sounds and cultures. The album featured notable collaborations, including Boubacar Dembélé (Amadou & Mariam) and Kiddus I, the Jamaican reggae legend. The track "Rebel Blues" marked a turning point in his career when it was selected for the soundtrack of the Hollywood thriller "Safe House", starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds.
In 2013, Lëk Sèn followed up with his second album, Tomorrow, a seamless blend of reggae, folk, and blues, produced by Chapter Two. This album featured an array of international collaborations, including Clinton Fearon, former member of The Gladiators, Blitz the Ambassador, Harrison Stafford from the American band Groundation, and Senegalese singer Julia Sarr. Each track reflects the richness of his influences and his desire to convey powerful messages through universal melodies.
Described by France Culture as "authentic, with the power and mystery of African desert blues," Lëk Sèn has continuously surprised and captivated the world of music. With his raspy voice and acoustic compositions, he bridges the gap between modernity and tradition. His career has been marked by success: his album Tomorrow was named the second-best African reggae album of 2014.
Under the name Puppa Lëk Sèn, he continues to explore the many facets of music with his independent label, Jahsen Creation, where he merges reggae, dancehall, urban blues, and Afro-folk. Since 2013, he has been a prolific creator, producing four albums, *Jaam Dong*, *Sweet & Tuff*, *Kanasou*, *Lion of Teranga*, *I Roots*, five EPs, and four singles. In 2014, his album *Jaam Dong* was named "Best Album 2014" by Reggaeville (Germany), and the track "Kayaman" won the "People’s Choice Award" organised by Irie Magazine (USA). His album *Sweet & Tuff *was also named Album of the Year 2015 by Reggaeville.
By 2022, with seven albums and five EPs, Lëk Sèn has established himself as a key figure on the international scene. His music, deeply rooted in the human realities of Africa, resonates as a call for freedom and unity. On stage, he exudes a magnetic energy that transcends generations. His powerful voice evokes the vastness of the African desert, and his activism mirrors that of an awakened African generation, yearning for change.
Lëk Sèn is more than just a musician. He is a singular voice emerging from the beating heart of Africa, the voice of a conscious Africa, a rare gem that the world has now discovered.
