Music warms the heart at the Alliance !

Come meet singer and artist Cheikh Ibra Fam for a conversation interspersed with songs and music from Sénégal.

Cheikh Ibra Fam will give an acoustic performance and will tell stories about his native Africa in French.

Cheikh Ibra Fam has performed at a number of prestigious venues, including the main stage at Montreal’s Nuits d’Afrique Festival, New Morning in Paris, Lafayette Festival International de Louisiane, New Orleans Jazz Festival and the World Music Festival Chicago. He collaborated with Maloyan artist Christine Salem in 2024 to produce Niama, a musical commemorating the abolition of slavery on Réunion Island. He is a socially engaged artist whose work extends to the African continent, most notably through his support of the organization Innovation: Africa. Collaborating with this non-profit, which uses solar-powered technology to bring clean water and light to remote African villages, Fam has used his music to emphasize his belief that technology, self-reliance, and education are the true pathways to a brighter future for Africa.

About the Artist 

As a child growing up in Dakar, Cheikh Ibra Fam sang spiritual songs in the Baye Fall tradition, heard Afro-Cuban music on the home stereo, and fell in love with the voice of Otis Redding. Later, he became enamored with hip-hop and released three albums under the stage name Freestyle. After six years singing with the legendary Orchestra Baobab, he launched his solo-career in 2022 with his album Peace in Africa. His appealing blend of afropop, funk, jazz, soul, and roots music helped earn him recognition as a Radio France International Talent. Cheikh Ibra Fam now lives in Reunion Island and will be releasing his sophomore album Adouna (Life) on the Cumbancha label in February 2026. Check out his website here!

Keen to listen? Check out Cheikh Ibra Fam's Yolele (Acoustic Session) here!

Event Information

Date : Friday, February 6, 2026
Time : 7:00-8:30 PM
Location : Alliance Française de Philadelphie, 1420 Walnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Language : English, French
Cost : $25 for Members / $30 for Non-Members - One beverage (wine, beer, soda) included with price of admission!

Not a member yet? 

Purchase a membership today!