Léon Tanfutu, the child of a mother from Basel and an Angolan father, grew up—and still at home—in a society shaped predominantly by whiteness, where the search for identity is a constant theme. Belonging neither fully here nor there, Léon Tanfutu and his music represent a fresh generation of creative artists who captivate through their unique and complex identities.
In his music, Léon Tanfutu blends his African musical roots with a modern, global urban sound and a deep commitment to social justice and diversity. Like the project Zeal & Ardor, Léon Tanfutu radically transcends genre boundaries and addresses themes such as racism, discrimination, social inequality, as well as other personal topics in his lyrics. Through his music, Léon Tanfutu seeks to tell his own story, as well as many others that often remain unseen, giving a voice to people who live with these experiences every day.
Music is his way not only of processing experiences, but also of connecting and inspiring. With his music, Léon Tanfutu wants to give people like himself a voice. He wants to make them visible and show them understanding—we all know those unbearable moments that we so often carry alone.
