Babai Lugu

Rooted in Madagascar’s vocal traditions, the Babai Lugu project revolves around an ongoing dialogue between contemporary poetry, Malagasy polyphony and rhythms grounded in contemporary music. In regular collaboration with the vocal ensemble Alala Katsa Katsa, Babai Lugu develops a compositional approach in which collective voices occupy a central place, supported by flexible grooves and spare arrangements that leave room for the texts. Babai Lugu’s music explores themes of everyday life, wonder and intimate relationships, aiming for closeness to the listener rather than a spectacular effect. On stage, the group emphasizes a choral, participatory dimension—close to Madagascar’s communal practices—while operating within an independent distribution environment. Promoted via streaming platforms and media such as Wave Radio, Babai Lugu continues to research Malagasy vocal forms, placing them in contact with more urban sonorities and contemporary song formats.