NenaHalena & Wassolou Benkain Celebrate Malian Music on New Single ‘Hail From Mali’
A powerful collaboration connecting traditional Wassolou musicianship with modern club rhythm on Get Physical Music.
Get Physical Music welcomes NenaHalena for his label debut with ‘Hail From Mali’, a release that brings together heritage, live tradition, and contemporary house energy in a truly meaningful collaboration. Known for his rhythm-first approach and deep connection to percussion, NenaHalena has built a reputation through releases on Armada, Sol Selectas, Stil Vor Talent, and more, always blending Afro-rooted grooves with electronic club sensibility.
On ‘Hail From Mali’, he joins forces with Wassolou Benkain, a traditional ensemble from Mali’s Wassolou region. Their music is shaped by instruments like the ngoni, a harp-like West African string instrument, layered with rich vocals and communal percussion. The group’s performances are grounded in everyday life, with the musicians gathering to play for weddings, celebrations, and the pure joy of sharing music together. Their sound carries a lineage often linked to the foundations of blues, funk, disco, and ultimately house music itself.
The track began when NenaHalena discovered the ensemble through a video shared online by Alex Ngoni, who documents musicians from the region. Captivated immediately by the groove and spirit of the performance, he reached out to turn that moment into a collaboration, bringing the traditional recording into a club-ready framework while honouring its source. As NenaHalena explains:
This was a love at first sight/listen situation… We need to shine more light on these amazing musicians hailing from Mali.
Musically, ‘Hail From Mali’ is driven by an organic Afro-house pulse, where traditional strings and percussion flow naturally alongside warm electronic rhythm. A catchy vocal phrase anchors the track, allowing the original swing and funk of the Wassolou performance to remain front and centre. Rather than forcing the music into a standard template, the production gives space for both worlds to meet on equal terms.
‘Hail From Mali’ stands as both a dancefloor record and a cultural bridge, celebrating the roots of rhythm while presenting them through a modern lens for today’s global house community. Out now on Get Physical Music.
