Amsterdam-based DJ, producer, and guitarist Ginton blends his unique guitar riffs with Afro house rhythms. He collaborates with his idols Richard Bona and Salif Keita to rework their iconic 2003 song “Kalabancoro” for a new audience. The original song, recorded in Bamako, Mali, carried emotional weight due to its historical context, which Ginton honors while revitalizing the track. In this 2025 version, he keeps the original powerful vocals and updates the music with a quicker tempo, vibrant grooves, and deeper basslines, incorporating his signature Afro-Latin guitar style.
Ginton has worked with major artists, including Drake and Gordo, and has created his own label, Woody Trees, to explore innovative music that connects different cultures and styles. His journey started in jazz guitar at the Conservatorium in Rotterdam, inspired by legends like Santana and Jimi Hendrix. He gained recognition co-producing “Tie That Binds” for Drake’s platinum album and has produced for various other artists. His collaboration “JEJEREJE” with Stonebwoy went viral on TikTok, showcasing his ability to reach global audiences. Woody Trees has become a key element in his career, allowing him to explore diverse soundscapes and high-profile partnerships. Ginton’s work emphasizes music’s power as a universal language.
“I’ve looked up to Richard Bona for as long as I can remember. As a young, aspiring musician, his bass playing, musicality, and the emotion he pours into every note made a huge impact on me. So when I was invited by the label to remix a track from a selection of legendary African artists, and I saw Richard‘s name on the list – I didn’t have to think twice. It was an immediate “yes.” And when I saw that the track was ‘Kalabancoro,’ I got goosebumps.
The original song, released in 1998, features the incredible Salif Keita – another icon whose voice carries so much depth and soul. ‘Kalabancoro‘ was written during a time of war and unrest, with the intention of giving a face and voice to the people who were suffering in silence. That message, that spirit, still feels incredibly relevant today. I wanted to honor that message and emotion while also bringing the track into the now. I didn’t want to “flip” it just for the sake of a remix. My goal was to breathe new energy into it without losing its essence. Obviously, I kept the vocals untouched as they’re absolutely timeless. The bones of the track came together in about an hour. That’s how right it felt. It just flowed. The absolute highlight of this whole journey was getting to meet Richard in person after his show in Amsterdam. We talked about music, staying inspired, touring life, and just the heart behind creating. Sitting across from someone who shaped so much of my musical path – and sharing this project with him – was surreal. It felt like a full-circle moment. A dream I didn’t even know was possible when I was starting out. This project means the world to me. It’s a tribute, a thank you, and a conversation with the voices that paved the way – while adding my own to the mix.” – Ginton
Stream it here.
