Yacou Mbaye is a Gadigal / Sydney and Dakar based master of percussion, dance and performance working across the bounds of arts and cultural preservation. Drawing from classical Wolof, Griot and West African styles; Yacou is a multi-instrumentalist whose practice includes the Balafon, Sabar, Djembe, Dun Dun and Tama drums.

Born in Dakar, Senegal and within the lineage of a Griot family, Yacou’s practice is a circular and returning dialogue between classical and contemporary West African styles of music, dance and performance. Yacou’s work pivots on themes of culture, its preservation and its evolutions, and weaves together diasporic encounters that create new possibilities and hybridisations. His practice and exploration of these realities resembles the principles of the drummer’s call and response in which he follows divergent paths of West African poly-rhythms, and their journeys and conversations across the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. 

Yacou has toured both internationally and throughout Australia as a solo artist and as the creator of Sydney based African fusion band, AfroMbollo and as member of acclaimed bands Keyimba and Chosani Afrique. Yacou has performed with greats such as Rokia Traore, Alpha Blondy, Angelique Kidjo, Toumani Diabate and Salif Keita.