Syllart Records: Between legacy and reinvention
Founded in Paris in the late 1970s, Syllart Records helped carry the sound of the continent far beyond its borders. Today, its catalogue includes more than 30,000 tracks, with nearly a thousand produced directly by Ibrahima Sylla, a towering figure in African music production.
Over the decades, Syllart has brought some of the continent’s greatest voices and orchestras to global audiences, including Orchestra Baobab. The label has supported and produced major artists who shaped the African musical landscape: Salif Keita, Oumou Sangaré, Africando, Pepe Kallé, and many more.
Upon the death of its founder in 2013, Binetou Sylla took over the direction of the label to preserve her father’s legacy while modernizing the structure. In an interview with PAM magazine, she explains:
“Many people thought the label wouldn’t survive without him. I wanted to show that the story wasn’t over.”
Under her leadership, the catalogue has been digitised, restored, and relaunched. Landmark albums such as Mouhamadou Bamba by Orchestra Baobab or Ismaël Lô’s debut solo record have been reissued both digitally and on vinyl, opening the door to a new generation of listeners. These reissues aim not only to honour a musical heritage but also to reconnect generations through the sounds that marked the era of independence movements and the golden years of African music production in Paris.
Today, the Syllart team continues this work of transmission. Alongside reissues of historical catalogs (Tabu Ley, Bembeya Jazz, Malian orchestras), new projects with contemporary artists are also being developed, notably around Peul music and the new Afro-pop scene.
The structure is now managed by Fanta Sylla and Tapa Sylla, the label managers, accompanied by Julien Dayan, label manager, and Sadio Sylla, community manager and artist relations officer.
Their work extends to synchronizations, with major placements: in the soundtrack of Big Mouth on Netflix, Baaba Maal featuring in Marvel’s Black Panther, and J-Cole sampling the track ‘Paulette‘ by Balla Et Ses Balladins.
Partnership with IDOL
Since 2015, IDOL and Syllart have worked together to highlight this essential catalogue. After a brief period with Universal in 2022, IDOL is thrilled to welcome Syllart back into its catalogue.
Through this partnership, IDOL ensures the global digital distribution of Syllart’s catalogue and supports its upcoming projects. More than a collaboration, it’s a natural return built on trust, shared history, and a common vision: independent music that is bold, ambitious, and open to the world.
The Audience Development team particularly supports the label in its digital presence. Syllart now has nearly 2 million subscribers on YouTube and is intensifying its development on TikTok to amplify its international reach.
Syllart Records remains a cornerstone of African musical history. Between legacy and reinvention, the label continues to carry a living culture and a memory that is heard, danced, and passed on.
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