SEKOU CONDE

Hamidou was born in the village of Macenta in Guinea,

and he grew up playing drums made out of barrels with his

friends. During revolution he was chosen to become a dancer first

in a neighboring city, then was brought to the capital city, Conakry,

where he spent the next two years competing as a dancer. He

then joined the Ballets Nationale Joliba, where he spent twelve

years as a dancer and acrobat. The best dancers from this group

were chosen to join the world-renowned Ballets Africain, where he spent the next five

years touring the world as an acrobat and dancer.

He finally decided to move to the United States to teach dance and drumming, and

has been here for seven years between New York City, Cincinnati, and Columbia.

Although Hamidou never went to school, he speaks six languages: French, English, Susu,

Toma, Toma-Mania, and Maninke, and travels the country sharing his passion dancing,

drumming, and his native Guinea.

 Sekou "Tepaka" Conde, is of the Malinke ethnic group and descendant of the Conde Family of Siguiri in Guinea West Africa. Though born in the United States, Chicago, IL. Conde is an accomplished and devoted artist who has garnered much critical acclaim and respect for his music. Throughout his life, he has learned very valuable lessons from the greats of his homeland Africa and America. His achievements range from teaching worldwide, and performing with many of the towering companies of Guinea, to producing original recordings of classical arrangements that significantly draw upon his West African roots. 

After years of unparalleled success as a dynamic educator, paid consultant, and stunning performer, Sekou moved back to Chicago where he created Sénéké West African Percussion Ensemble in 2005. Additionally, Conde has recorded an astonishing three compact discs full of music from Guinea and Mali West Africa, "SENEKE", "FARADALA" ,"CULTIVATION" and his Latest "CULTIVATED BLACKLAND".
In 2006, Sekou toured with Legends of West Africa, and in 2007 toured with Amazones Women Master Drummers, founded and managed by his uncle Mamoudou Conde.  

The intrinsic discipline and vast knowledge that Sekou has amassed vis-à-vis the dialectical process of impassioned learning and teaching, has taken his abilities to new heights, increasing his cultural devotion to the traditional African value system. Sekou continues to lecture and perform around the globe, sharing the importance of traditional culture as well as the upliftment of young people everywhere.