Alpha and the Princes of Futa

About Me

Alpha Diallo, a Guinean human rights lawyer, has been involved in theater and musical performance since his arrival in the U.S. in 2000. He wrote The Wind Blew, which was performed at the University of Chicago Theater in 2001 as a part of the Antigone Project. As a musician, he explores his musical roots with his band The Princes of Futa. His main source of inspiration comes from the Wolof and Fula cultures of West Africa. Through African beat and jazz, the Princes of Futa try to reconcile modern and traditional African culture while also embracing the musical multiplicity of the U.S. To audiences as varied as those frequenting the Green Mill, Darkroom, Morseland, the Subterranean, and various festivals across Chicago, his songs speak of peace, love, and justice. Alpha Diallo believes that human diversity will lead to a better world, and the Princes of Futa reflect that diversity, which, after all, is what America is all about.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 4/3/2006
Band Website: princesoffuta.com
Band Members: Alpha Diallo-vocals/Hashim Uqdah-drum kit/Matt Capazzi-bass/Kevin Mitchell-guitar/Billy Oh-violin/Teddy Aklilu-piano/Youssou Diatta-African drums/
Influences: Ali Farka Toure, Fela
Type of Label: None

My Blog

CD RELEASE PARTY!!!

We will be celebrating the release of our first album, "Dreams Come True" at the Heartland Cafe in Rogers Park, Sat April 28. Joining us will be the hip-hop sensation M.C. Rob Walker, the poetic voic...
Posted by Alpha and the Princes of Futa on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 07:42:00 PST

CD finished!!!

After years in the making, we have finally finished our first studio album, "Dreams Come True." It is recorded and mastered, and now all that remains is for it to be printed and released. It will so...
Posted by Alpha and the Princes of Futa on Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:56:00 PST

Check out our videos

You can now go to our videos section to see our performance on ABC's Chicagoing with Bill Campbell. We played two songs on the show, which aired on July 2, 2006 on channel 7 in Chicago.
Posted by Alpha and the Princes of Futa on Sat, 15 Jul 2006 08:56:00 PST

ABC's Chicagoing with Bill Campbell

The Princes of Futa will make their network television debut on Sunday, July 2. We will be featured on ABC's (channel 7) "Chicagoing With Bill Campbell." This is a local show that highlights differe...
Posted by Alpha and the Princes of Futa on Wed, 14 Jun 2006 04:33:00 PST

Studio day1

We finished our first session in the studio today. Put down rhythm tracks for Maria and Destiny. We're recording in John's home studio with Ron Bay engineering. Hope to get six tracks done in the n...
Posted by Alpha and the Princes of Futa on Thu, 08 Jun 2006 09:45:00 PST