Latyr Sy

Latyr Sy was born in Gorée, Dakar on September 12, 1972. He moved to Japan in 1995 and in 1996 organized his own percussion group, AFRICA SUNU XELCOM. He is now based in Tokyo.

Latyr Sy collaborates with many artists, and genres like jazz, Latin, rock and traditional music. And collaborates with artists from other countries: Mamady Keita (percussion, Guinea), Okura Shonosuke (drumming from Japanese lyrical Noh drama), Senba Kiyohiko (percussion Japan), Sato Masahiko (jazz piano, Japan), Kim Defang (percussion, Korea), Rico Rodriguez (trombone, Jamaica), Kansane (vocalist, Korea), and many others.

Sy is fluent in four languages: Japanese, French, English and native Senegalese Wolof language.

In July 2021, Sy wrote on Facebook denouncing the Japanese Olympic Committee for cancelling his performance in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony due to him being black.[1]

with Flying Rhythms

• Flying Rhythms (2004)
• Doragon Balls (2004)
• N'DANKA N'DANKA (2005)
• Rhythm Connection (2005)
• Do The Waves (2006)
• Specialoose Fly (2006)

with Rourou

• Lotus Lotus Lotus (2004)

with Leyona

• Rainy Blue (2006)

with The Tchiky's

• The Tchiky's (2011)

• CNN: Stunning opener kicks off World Cup
• Profile at q-on.jp
• Ethnic Culture from the Mithila Museum

• https://latyrsy.com/en/
• Latyr Sy MySpace Page