Nda Chi
& Sandya • Syli d'Or - 19th edition

Nda Chi | Contemporary Bamileke rhythms (Cameroon)

Nda Chi, also known as Le Menshi, “the voice of the ancestors and the people”, is a Cameroonian artist who carries a universal message: your uniqueness is your key, your heritage is your link. Born in Baleng, in western Cameroon, Armand Noël Ntoungchi Kamtchoua was deeply shaped by traditional Bamileke initiations, including rites of passage, spiritual revelations, and mystical encounters with his ancestors. These experiences defined his mission: to become a living bridge between ancestral Africa and the contemporary world, transforming the personal into the collective through immersive ritual performances. As the creator of LessaGroove — a unique musical style tuned to 432 Hz for its harmonic and emotional grounding qualities — Nda Chi merges the ancestral Lessa rhythm of Baleng with modern influences from funk, rock, pop, reggae, and gospel. His androgynous, expressive tenor voice, blending traditional vocalizations, R&B nuances, and meditative silences, turns each performance into a ritual of inner reconciliation. Winner of multiple international awards, including the Gold Medal at the 2023 Jeux de la Francophonie and Mutzig Star 2019, Nda Chi has performed across Africa, Europe, and Asia, captivating audiences at festivals and venues worldwide. On stage, he transforms every concert into a collective ceremony, where individual emotion becomes a universal vibration, an invitation to awaken one’s inner light and reconnect with the greater whole.

Sandya | Gnawa fusion (Morocco)

Sandya Fusion Band is a dynamic Montreal-based Gnawa fusion ensemble led by Fathallah Cherkaoui. Blending the hypnotic rhythms of Gnawa music with elements of reggae, funk, rock, and jazz, the group captivates audiences with its powerful grooves, deep spiritual energy, and Cherkaoui’s soulful vocals and mesmerizing guembri playing. Rooted in tradition yet boldly contemporary, Sandya Fusion Band stands as a vibrant reflection of Montreal’s thriving world music scene. Through its unique sound, the band celebrates cultural diversity and builds bridges between communities — sharing the universal language of music as a source of connection, healing, and joy.