Baba Suleiman
a roadside mechanic's yard in rural Nigeria
Baba Suleiman has spent decades at the roadside mechanic's yard, transforming the mundane task of washing windshields into an art form. Known for his connection with the neighborhood dogs and his obsession with the rhythm of windshield wipers, he's become an essential fixture in the community. His eyesight and joints may be failing, but his acute sense of timing and rhythm guide his movements and his music, crafted from the very environment that surrounds him.
About
Obsession
The unique rhythm of windshield wipers
Voice
Gentle percussion in raindrops
Genre
Mechanical Ambient Jazz
Instrumentation
Old windshield wipers, broom bristles, car rustle, thumb piano
Vocal Style
Weathered, gravelly whispers, like dusty wind
Production Style
Recorded live at the mechanic's yard, using found sounds and tools, ambient noise of cars passing and dogs barking, no flat surfaces allowed.
Influences
The rhythm of windshield wipers, neighborhood dogs, the mechanic's yard atmosphere
Selected 2 times · Last: March 28, 2026