Fresh off his critically acclaimed turn as Nelson Mandela in the film Long Walk to Freedom, Idris Elba is using another artistic medium to celebrate the beloved South African president.
Elba, who is a sought after DJ and now records under the name Driis, recently announced plans for an album entitled Mi Mandela to feature the likes of Mr. Hudson, James Blake, Mumford & Sons, Maverick Sabre and more.
“Mandela was into his music, and I wanted to understand what music he liked. So in that journey I sort of discovered the roots of South African music,” proclaims Elba. “South Africa has over 60 different tribes, and each one has a musical expression, each one has a very unique, different sound style.”
South Africa will indeed be well represented on the album as Elba recorded the project there and worked with renowned South African producer Spoek Mathambo
“I had no real agenda,” Elba says. “I just wanted to pull these musicians together, express some feelings to them, and then we all go off and make music. That was really the plan.”
Mi Mandela is currently available for pre-order on iTunes and scheduled to be released on Nov. 24.
