The UB Video Interview: Stokley Talks Sankofa, Prince and Minnesota
Stokley has a thirty-year career under his belt, with many accolades and achievements along the way.
This Spring he adds to those achievements, with the release of his new album release “Sankofa.”
Stokley’s sophomore album is a partnership with the legendary Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’ Flyte Tyme/Perspective Records and his imprint BluRaffe.
Stokley shares more of his musical personality on this album, with him playing all of the instruments on the album. As well as produced and co-wrote songs with hit songwriting duo Shakespear! and others.
The album features guest appearances from H.E.R., Snoop Dogg, The Bonfyre, Wale and KiDi.
The name Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana meaning “Go Back and Get it,” and Stokley shows that with this album as he literally takes what he loves about music in general and brings it forward to be presented on this album.
UB has previewed the album and can confirm, Stokley brings it full circle and is gearing up to release one of the best R&B albums in the last decade.
The lead single “She” became Stokley‘s first career #1, in a record 28 weeks. Last summer Stokley released “Vibrant” featuring Snoop Dogg and the newest single “Cascade” featuring The Bonfyre, is a classic R&B duet with a great two-step.
The album Sankofa is the manifestation of Stokley’s musical journey. Where the Ghanian term is a nod to the roots of African American ancestry, his interpretation relies on personal reflection. Stokley’s past experiences as an artist and the education he has received from “Mint University” along with production on projects outside of his own, is what he has drawn from to create an album inspired by the world around him.
Aries and Tishelle from UB recently spoke to Stokley, all Minnesota natives. Stokley speaks on the upcoming album “Sankofa,” his reason for rolling it out the way he is and tells UB about the hot collaborations for the album.
Stokley also shares with UB, his proudest Mint Condition moments and gets candid about support regarding the Minnesota music scene.
And if that’s not enough, Stokley plays the UB Lyric Game and shares Stevie Wonder and Prince stories!
