Diabaté's Final Album Héritage Due January 2027
Toumani Diabaté's posthumous album Héritage, recorded with his three sons, is scheduled for release on 22 January 2027 via Etoile Audio/Nonesuch.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in World
Etoile Audio/Nonesuch will release Héritage, the final album by kora player Toumani Diabaté, on 22 January 2027. The album was recorded in January 2024 at the Diabaté family home in Bamako, months before Diabaté died in July 2024.
Why it matters
Héritage is the only album Diabaté made with all three of his sons, Sidiki, Balla, and Ahmed, making it a closing document of a family musical lineage. The first single, 'Mande', is out now ahead of the full release.
The album features an ensemble of four koras, with all three of Diabaté's sons performing alongside him. The extraction does not specify the commercial or streaming targets for the release.
The players
Toumani Diabaté
Malian kora virtuoso whose final album Héritage was recorded shortly before his death in July 2024.
Nick Gold
Record producer and label figure who served as executive producer of Héritage.
Damon Albarn
British musician and Blur frontman who contributes piano and melodica to the track 'Famille'.
The details
Nick Gold served as executive producer with Djelika Diabaté, who sent the recordings to Gold after her father's death. Damon Albarn adds piano and melodica to 'Famille', and Balla Diabaté says 'Mande' came together around 5am after morning prayer.
Timeline
January 2024: Héritage recorded at the Diabaté family home in Bamako.
July 2024: Toumani Diabaté dies.
27 November: Ballaké Sissoko's Djelimady N°1 releases on No Format!
22 January 2027: Héritage released via Etoile Audio/Nonesuch.
Big Picture
The release continues a family lineage in Malian kora music that began with Cordes Anciennes in 1970, when both Diabaté's and Sissoko's fathers performed on the record. Diabaté and Sissoko later released the duo album New Ancient Strings in 1999.
Héritage will be available through Etoile Audio/Nonesuch from 22 January 2027. The first single 'Mande' is already out, so listeners can hear part of the album before the full release.
The takeaway
Héritage preserves a recording made shortly before Toumani Diabaté's death and captures a family ensemble across generations. Listeners can follow its release date and first single now as the album approaches.
What happens next
Héritage is scheduled for release on 22 January 2027 via Etoile Audio/Nonesuch.
Further reading
Explore more international releases in the World music section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Songlines.
