Ginton breathes new life into Richard Bona and Salif Keita’s classic ‘Kalabancoro’

Amsterdam-based DJ, producer and guitarist Ginton is back with one of the most meaningful releases of his career, a bold yet respectful rework of Richard Bona and Salif Keita’s 2003 track ‘Kalabancoro’. Download/stream it here: https://ginton.lnk.to/Kalabancoro.

Originally written and recorded in Bamako, Mali, during a time of conflict, the song gave voice to those suffering in silence. Ginton’s 2025 version stays true to that spirit. The vocals remain untouched, still carrying the same weight and emotion, while the production gets a fresh lift.

Ginton adds a slightly quicker tempo, layered grooves, warm basslines and his signature guitar work. The result is a deep, rolling Afro-house track with a subtle Afro-Latin edge that is modern but rooted in purpose.

“I’ve looked up to Richard Bona for as long as I can remember,” says Ginton. “His musicality, the emotion in every note, shaped the way I hear and write music. When I saw his name and the track was ‘Kalabancoro’, I got goosebumps. I didn’t want to remix it just to make it club-friendly. I wanted to keep its soul.”

The project came together quickly, and the bones of the track were made in under an hour. But the process and the meaning behind it runs much deeper. Ginton later met Richard Bona in Amsterdam after one of his shows. “It felt like a full circle moment. Sitting with someone who inspired my journey and sharing this remix with him was surreal.”

Ginton’s recent output has been gaining global attention. From co-producing for Drake, Gordo, and Lojay to launching his own label, Woody Trees, his sound blends electronic and organic sounds in a way that feels natural and direct.

With collaborations alongside MoBlack, Francis Mercier, Ape Drums, Maz and more, Ginton continues to carve a space where genre lines blur and cultural connections thrive.

This rework of ‘Kalabancoro’ is more than a release. It is a tribute to the past, a conversation across generations, and a statement of intent from an artist with something real to say.

Upcoming dates:

5 July – Down The Rabbit Hole, Ewijk

6 July – Warm, Barcelona

19 July – Rhythm Rise Invites, Malaga

26 July – Sunny Side Up, Den Burg

Ginton

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