Hailing from Ashby-de-la-Zouch, a small town in Leicestershire, Sekou developed his vocal style in church and learning from pop greats like Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse. Soon enough, the labels came calling and he was signed at the age of 16.
Now, despite only being 21, he’s racked up a number of considerable accolades: a Rising Star nomination at the BRITs, co-signs from the likes of Dua Lipa, and supporting spots touring with artists Renee Rapp and FLO.
Looking back, there’s no denying that 21-year-old Sekou has had a big 2025 thanks to two star-making features: appearing on ‘Limitless’ from Cench’s long-awaited debut album Don’t Rush Greatness, as well as on “TOO LONG” from Justin Bieber’s surprise SWAG drop.
Sekou is particularly effusive about his experience with Bieber, a collaboration which was born in the DMs before migrating to the studio. “Meeting Justin Bieber went from IG DMs to working on music in his home,” says Sekou. “Justin always has his eye on the ball. It was friendship first, and music came after. It felt like we needed each other, which was really special.”
However, even despite the heights of 2025, 2026 is set to be even greater for the young artist. The year marks his first headline tour, titled the ‘In A World We Don't Belong’ tour, with dates already announced across the UK and Europe.
It’s in this moment, teetering on the edge of his greatest achievements yet, that the singer-songwriter fronts Culted’s first-ever digital cover.
Creative directed by TJ Saw, the cover story places Sekou within a nostalgic, intimate universe drawing upon the aesthetics of the 1960s and 1970s. Aligning with his classic aesthetic, and his rich, baritone vocals, the shoot encapsulates some of Sekou’s most important inspirations. “I’m so inspired by my Black culture and Motown; that element of joyfulness is what I love about music,” he explains.
Starting the year as he means to go on, Sekou’s message is one of self-empowerment, radical acceptance and creative expression. So for anyone looking to follow in his path, he has some choice words of wisdom: “Keep being you, keep being loud, keep being flamboyant.”
Welcome to 2026, the year of Sekou.
Featured image via Culted©
Culted Digital Cover Shoot Credits
Editor in Chief: Pavel Dler
Head of Social Media: Vivian Osondu
Creative Director and Creative Producer: TJ Saw
Photographer: Elliot Hensford
Stylist: Ellie Rimmer
Art Director: Mariana Jaguite
Artist Creative Director: Sharkkana
Hair Stylist: Shahiyan Mason
Grooming: Nicola Svensen
Movement Director: Saiya Thomas
DOP: Johnny Cooke
Stylist Assistant: Heaven Wondim
Art Assistant: Rachel Ifediora
Art Assistant: Poppy Whitehorn
Art Assistant: Jack Savage
Lighting Tech: George Robson
Camera Assistant: Ore Omoboriowo
Production Company: Marvellous Last Night
Executive Producer: Max Alan
Production Coordinator: Isaac Tapiki
Cast Stylist: Pili Mateos
Cast Stylist Assistant: Tavimba Chisenga
Cast Stylist Assistant: Grace Priem
Cast Hair Stylist: Kreszend Sackey
Post Prod: Econe Lab
Social Video Editor: Halle Cassel
Cast: Chad Nelson, David De La Rosa, Pacifique Noa, Ibrahim Hood, Feranmi Olagbegi, Wale Ajala, Marc Biakath, Kijuan Whitton
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