Mor Thiam: Nepo Daddy or Unsung Instrumentalist?
You’ve probably heard of global pop star Akon, but did you know his father, Mor Thiam, is a musical force in his own right? A Senegalese percussionist, composer, and cultural historian, Thiam blends activism, religion, and culture across jazz, funk, hip-hop, and Senegalese music.
Born in Kaolack, Senegal, in 1941 to a family of Qur’anic scholars, Thiam moved to Missouri in the late 1960s and collaborated with icons like Zak Diouf and Ray Drummond. His debut album, Dini Safarrar (1973), meaning “Drums of Fire”, was self-funded and supported famine relief. Featuring Nancy Wilson and B.B. King, it fused jazz, funk, and African percussion with minimal vocals.
His second album, Back to Africa (1999), recorded in Dakar, showcases traditional instruments like the djembe, tama, and sabar, with vocals in Wolof. Tracks like “Djembé” and “Yaral Sa Doom” reflect his storytelling through rhythm.
Thiam has also performed with Bluiett/Jackson/Thiam and Don Pullen & The African-Brazilian Connection. A philanthropist and cultural ambassador, he has earned cult status among music lovers. It’s time he got his flowers.