Album Notes

Mohammed Alidu was born into the Bizung lineage of talking drum chiefs of Northern Ghana, studying with his father from the age of 3 years old. Alidu’s father taught him the history of his tribe, singing, and the language of the talking drum as his ancestors had done before him. By the age of 5, Alidu was accompanying his father to performances at the King’s palace. These performances helped to further open up the world of music to Alidu, as he listened to different drum languages being played. In 1995, Alidu was invited to be the principal drummer for the national dance company of Ghana – The Ghana Dance Ensemble.
Alidu has performed in many countries throughout the world. In 2004, he spent one year in Madagascar, collaborating with local artists. It was there that he started to compose and perform his unique blend of Afropop music. Today, that journey continues with the Bizung Family. The songs are not bound by the idea of fitting into the boundaries and structures of a specific musical tradition; they simply rise from a desire to make music that is both compelling and poignant.