Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Mark Ernestus's influence on electronic music cannot be overstated. From the groundbreaking output of Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound, to founding the institutional Berlin record store Hard Wax, he has continually pushed the culture forward.
In recent years, his focus has shifted towards a deep fascination with Senegalese mbalax, leading him to develop his own interpretation of the genre. What initially started as the 2013 project Mark Ernestus Presents Jeri-Jeri - 800% eventually evolved into Mark Ernestus' Ndagga Rhythm Force, alongside esteemed Senegalese greats including Griot percussionist Bada Seck and vocalist Mbene Diatta Seck.
In this RA film, we follow Ernestus and the band as they prepare for their European tour, beginning with rehearsals at Open Ground in Wuppertal—another key space Ernestus has a hand in—and culminating in a sold-out, three night residency at London's avant-garde hotspot Cafe OTO. Along the way, the film offers an intimate look at the rehearsal process, the music-making and the personalities behind a truly unique act.
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Co-directed by - Fahad Akinsanya & Jerry Dobson
Editor - Fahad Akinsanya
Co-editor - Jerry Dobson
Sound Mix - Guy Clarke
Additional Gig Footage - Onyee Lo, Matilda Butler (Cafe OTO)
Motion Graphics - Dan Derham
Special thanks to:
Open Ground, Wuppertal
Cafe OTO, London
Markus Riedel
Christine Riedel
Arthur Rieger
Chris Parkinson
Jamie Russell
Bella Aquilina
Gabriel Szatan
Tom Gordon-Martin
Music in order of appearance:
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Yermande (Prophet 5 Rhythm)
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Yermande (Kick and Bass Mix)
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Simb
Orchestra Baobab - Utrus Horas
Papa Ndiaye Guewel - Raas
Alioune Mbaye Nder - Superthiof
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Lamb Rhythm
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Walo Walo Version
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Ndiguel
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Lamp Fall
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00:44 Open Ground, Wuppertal
03:50 Mbalax
06:18 Senegal trip
10:02 On Tour
11:57 Cafe OTO, London
-----------------------
Website: ra.co
Follow us:
tiktok.com/@residentadvisor
instagram.com/resident_advisor
facebook.com/residentadvisor
Mark Ernestus's influence on electronic music cannot be overstated. From the groundbreaking output of Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound, to founding the institutional Berlin record store Hard Wax, he has continually pushed the culture forward.
In recent years, his focus has shifted towards a deep fascination with Senegalese mbalax, leading him to develop his own interpretation of the genre. What initially started as the 2013 project Mark Ernestus Presents Jeri-Jeri - 800% eventually evolved into Mark Ernestus' Ndagga Rhythm Force, alongside esteemed Senegalese greats including Griot percussionist Bada Seck and vocalist Mbene Diatta Seck.
In this RA film, we follow Ernestus and the band as they prepare for their European tour, beginning with rehearsals at Open Ground in Wuppertal—another key space Ernestus has a hand in—and culminating in a sold-out, three night residency at London's avant-garde hotspot Cafe OTO. Along the way, the film offers an intimate look at the rehearsal process, the music-making and the personalities behind a truly unique act.
(Subscribe to our channel: youtube.com/residentadvisor )
-----------------------
Co-directed by - Fahad Akinsanya & Jerry Dobson
Editor - Fahad Akinsanya
Co-editor - Jerry Dobson
Sound Mix - Guy Clarke
Additional Gig Footage - Onyee Lo, Matilda Butler (Cafe OTO)
Motion Graphics - Dan Derham
Special thanks to:
Open Ground, Wuppertal
Cafe OTO, London
Markus Riedel
Christine Riedel
Arthur Rieger
Chris Parkinson
Jamie Russell
Bella Aquilina
Gabriel Szatan
Tom Gordon-Martin
Music in order of appearance:
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Yermande (Prophet 5 Rhythm)
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Yermande (Kick and Bass Mix)
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Simb
Orchestra Baobab - Utrus Horas
Papa Ndiaye Guewel - Raas
Alioune Mbaye Nder - Superthiof
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Lamb Rhythm
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Walo Walo Version
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Ndiguel
Mark Ernestus’ Ndagga Rhythm Force - Lamp Fall
-----------------------
00:44 Open Ground, Wuppertal
03:50 Mbalax
06:18 Senegal trip
10:02 On Tour
11:57 Cafe OTO, London
-----------------------
Website: ra.co
Follow us:
tiktok.com/@residentadvisor
instagram.com/resident_advisor
facebook.com/residentadvisor
