EMMOLEI
SANKOFA
EmmoLei Sankofa is a composer, executive producer, story architect, and creative strategist who shapes the emotional architecture of story through cultural intuition, strategic insight, and deep collaboration—partnering with visionary filmmakers to create work that resonates and endures.
MO
(ABOUT)
Nominated in 2024 for an NAACP Image Award in the inaugural Outstanding Original Score for Film/TV category, EmmoLei's innovative compositions have left an indelible mark on acclaimed productions such as Hulu's "The Other Black Girl, Three Ways, Disney+'s Project CC, Lizzo’s Emmy-Award winning series Watch Out For the Big Grrrls and much more.
Her work has been screened globally and domestically many times over, connecting with audiences across cultures and borders. Beyond her extensive work as a composer, EmmoLei has served as sound supervisor for high-profile projects with brands including Nike, Pandora, Vans, Kamala Harris for the People, Pulse Films, and others through her creative audio company, Bèl Son.
EmmoLei’s extensive discography spans over twenty-one independently released albums, EPs, and singles, blending soul, jazz, classical, and rhythm and blues with a distinctive voice. Her single “Don’t Fight” earned placement on Adult Swim’s OPUS compilation album, underscoring her cross-genre appeal. A versatile percussionist, she has performed alongside artists such as Nelly, Ella Mai, and Kurt Schneider. Her debut as a solo act on Mobley’s Devil in a Daydream Virtual Tour marked a key milestone in her artistic journey.
As an alumna of the Sundance Composers Lab and the Recording Academy’s NEXT program, EmmoLei has been mentored by some of the most respected leaders in Film/TV and music, recognized as a rising talent and influential voice shaping the next generation of industry innovators.
EmmoLei’s work has received significant recognition across diverse platforms such as Hollywood Records’ The Big Score, The Karen Hunter Show, The Film Scorer, Lyrical Lemonade, OC Weekly, Billboard, and more. She was honored as part of Hampton University’s inaugural Young Alumni 40 Under 40 class and was the featured alumni speaker at SCAD Atlanta’s 2023 Commencement ceremony.
In addition to her creative achievements, EmmoLei serves as Vice President of Outreach for the Alliance for Women Film Composers, championing representation and opportunity within the industry.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, she channels her curiosity into boxing, nutrition, wellness, the business of creativity, coffee science, design, and other diverse interests.
“The past is great, but the present is greater. Ask someone else what I have done. Ask me what I am doing. Most of my work involves honoring and learning from the past to create the sound of the future. I am a blend of that old familiar tune, the beauty of every moment that is now, and a mark of the questionable things to come. I am the past, present, and future.”