Recently, Stokley celebrated the beauty and essence of Nubian queens worldwide with “WOMAN,” featuring Ghanaian superstar KiDi. Other releases on the album include the funk-laden tracks “Vibrant”featuring Snoop Dogg and “Cascade” featuring The Bonfyre that both peaked on the Billboard Top Ten R&B Airplay charts. The lead single “She” garnered Stokley his first career #1, with the single playing in cities across the country including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, and Cleveland.
Stokley plays 99% of the instruments featured on this project, including drums, percussion, keys, guitars (lead & bass), and the steel pan. Sankofa also features a special guest appearance by Mahmoud El-Kati, a world-renowned lecturer, writer, commentator on the African American experience, Professor Emeritus of History at Macalester College, as well as Stokley’s father. The album features H.E.R., Snoop Dogg, Wale, The Bonfyre, KiDi with songwriting and production by Stokley, S.Dot (MJB, Lauryn Hill, Diddy), Carvin Haggins (Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, and Shakespeare! (Justin Bieber, The Internet) who are also featured artists on the album. Stokley’s past experiences as an artist and the education he has received over his 35-year musical career. The Ghanaian term, Sankofa, is a nod to the roots of African American ancestry, and his interpretation relies on personal reflection. SANKOFA is out today via his partnership with Bluraffe Entertainment and music icons Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ Flyte Tyme/Perspective Records. (September 17, 2021) Grab your passports it’s time to rack up those miles with a one-of-a-kind musical manifestation starring multi-Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter-producer Stokley, all through the lens of his highly anticipated sophomore album. A rarity in this life: a singer’s singer, a drummer’s drummer, a musician’s musician. You won’t ever forget it!” – Stevie Wonder
When you hear musicians play who can really play and sing, it’s unforgettable. “I love the voice, the talent, the consistency. And that’s why he’s your favorite musician‘s favorite musician” – Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis “The biggest part of his greatness is his ability to make everyone around him better. “An ear-opening feast of textures, colors, and soulfulness, it embraces jazz, R&B, hip-hop, rock, pop, Pan-African sounds - you name it - all with a modern, electronic veneer and Williams’ supple, Stevie Wonder-evoking voice.”– Jon Bream (Star Tribune)