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Born
1990
1990
From
Norway
Norway
Journey
Eirik Hoff Walmsness, better known by his stage name Eriki, is a Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer recognized for his deep passion for Zimbabwean sungura music.
A skilled drummer, guitarist, bassist, and percussionist, Eriki has worked across Africa — including in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Senegal, Namibia, and South Africa.
In December 2020, he released his debut album Some Sort of Sungura, a solo project in which he played every instrument himself. The album is a sincere tribute: while he acknowledges it’s “not 100% sungura,” it captures his interpretation of the genre from thousands of kilometers away — from Norway.
Eriki first discovered sungura during a trip to Zimbabwe, where he connected with iconic artists like Alick Macheso, Nicholas Zakaria, Tongai Moyo, John Chibadura, and Oliver Mtukudzi — musicians who deeply influenced his sound.
With Some Sort of Sungura, Eriki positions himself as a cultural bridge — a “sungura ambassador” who brings Zimbabwe’s high-life, interlocking guitar lines and rhythmic drive to a European audience, while staying respectful and rooted in the genre’s legacy.
