British actor and singer Idris Elba has recorded an album inspired by his portrayal of South African leader Nelson Mandela in the 2013 film "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," NME reports.
Elba, who has worked in the music industry under the name Dris, will release the album titled "mi Mandela" on November 24.
The 11-song album features contributions and performances by British folk rock band Mumford and Sons and English electronic music producer and singer-songwriter James Blake.
The band, with whom Elba has worked in the past, wrote a track called "Home." Blake, on the other hand, is part of the track titled "Nothembi Jam."
"Mi Mandela" was recorded in London, Johannesburg and Mali and is said to be the first in a series of music releases meant to explore and reflect on Elba's acting roles, according to Music Times.
A teaser for the album has been released, and Elba explains in it how he came around to plan on creating and releasing music related to his experience in filming the Mandela movie.
"South African music was part of my research, and I wanted to understand what music [Mandela] liked, and so in that journey I discovered the roots of South African music," the actor says in the teaser.
The album also features a number of South African artists such as female vocal harmony group Mahotella Queens and solo musician Nothembi Mkhwebane.
Other artists appearing on the album are Maverick Sabre, Mr. Hudson, Cody Chestnutt and George the Poet, reports The Hollywood Reporter.
"South Africa has over sixty different tribes and each one has a musical expression, and each one has a very unique, different sound style," Elba says in the teaser. "At the time I had my studio at the apartment I was staying in while I was making "Mandela" - a little keyboard, a laptop - and as an experiment to myself, I vowed to keep making music."
Elba has released three EPs. He also occasionally performs as a rapper and DJ.