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We have been in the Los Angeles community providing our services since 1992. We appreciate our community's interest and support, it is a blessing to grow, share, and build a positive spirit through the drum and the power of rhythm. There continues to be a world wide embracing of the health and educational benefits that African drumming can create. We support and promote this movement and hope we can facilitate to you a connection that makes our planet a better place.
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Services
At Motherland Music you will find quality hand-made products, highly skilled teachers & performers, a full service drum repair workshop, a unique showroom-class space, and a friendly and knowledge staff that is eager to provide a great experience!.
If you have a drum with a broken skin you are welcome to call us for a quote about fixing it. Motherland Music is a full service workshop with an experienced and knowledgeable staff. We can provide options for repairs or improvements that will work best for your drum and budget. Each job personalize, we will give your drum it's true and special sound in tune with the music it was made to play. Our customers comment that their drums after we do the work, sound and look substantially better than the original.
Unity In The Community - Motherland is part of the community of people who support the positive benefits of music. Since we are all living on this planet together we might as well promote ways that add beauty and benefit ourselves and our community's way of life, right? How about more drums and less guns.
If you see an item you are interested in purchasing and want to do payments please contact us and we will help you. We require a minimum 20% deposit. The balance can be paid interest free at your convenience for up to a four month period.
Reviews (28)
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Shanee F.
Jun 05, 2022
I don't understand how you're selling African musical instruments, our history and our culture without 1 African/Black diaspora staff! If misappropriation had a face it would be this establishment! I didnt learn about them having a program that supports villages in Africa only that these instruments come from Africa. But I had a circle to host and was desperate to find a rattler in a few hours and stumbled across this place.

They are overpriced and had a nerve to be in Inglewood, black community, selling many African instruments (at crazy prices/$25 for rattler) but ran by all white people. I walked out confused as it Gives me gentrified with no respect for the community that exist around you! They should've just worn a dashiki! It's a big NO for me dog, I'd rather use my dollars with businesses that support African/black communities rather than convenience!
Andrel
May 08, 2022
Amazing. From brutha Lunden and his awesome playful kids to Wale instructing. I'm an accomplished congero, but never dabbled fully on the Djembe Drum. Impromptu, today I had my 1st lesson. I went solely to acquire a Nigerian Shekere, but when i felt ancestors whisper to me i stayed, played, and even purchased a balafon and shekere. Def coming back for some more pieces per my personla collectionand ensemble.

This institute/african percussion surplus is literally a play land for a person like myself. I was challenged by Wale to unlearn what I knew about congas /drumming in general in order to learn a new skill within percussion. Although challenging because I had to revert to basic rudiments I rarely thought about although practiced daily, I'm glad and thankful that I revisted them and learned how to apply them to a different style of drumming; learned so much. I can careless what I alrrady know, I'm willing to learn what I can. Thanks Lunden and Wale. See unnu soon fambo
SuneV C.
Apr 15, 2022
Great service and a vast selection. Discovered these folks at least a decade ago. Several times I've had drum skin and rope changed. reasonable fees, friendly service and prompt turnaround.
Rainbow Goddess
Dec 26, 2021
It's always fun going into a music shop especially this one! They have lots of tribal finds from many cultures. Even Thailand! They are knowledgeable as well. I always like that! I've gone there twice now & have received Wonderful instruments to add to the vibration family. Even a really awesome thunder maker. I'm bringing the thunder & clearing it out now!
Teresa Mosley
Nov 18, 2021
Motherland is ACES with me! I am always impressed by the ever-changing selection of instruments that come into the store. Everytime I visit, something new catches my eye and I just have to have it. In addition to the vast selection of instruments, they offer classes and jam session events so that I can hone in on and strengthen my skills. It's a one-stop shop and I love every opportunity to visit. It makes the long drive well worth it.
Tessa R.
Aug 19, 2021
Dan has been helping my boyfriend and his dad take care of their Djembes for years now, providing custom care for affordable prices. He does anything you need to fix a broken drum from replacing the skin to tightening the ropes that hold it in place. Very talented and kind family owned store worth taking your business to for sure!
Dulce D.
Jun 02, 2021
Thanks Dan for bringing my dad's old Congo back to life with new. This drum traveled from Cuba to California to most recently Michigan. It's final destination home, Michigan will play at some amazing venues. Remembering that you had a hand in it. You are gracious kind and professional and we see the love in your craft with every instrument you are repairing.

Your calling to the world drumming has gifted you to present some beautifully made drums from Africa and other parts of the world. It was a true blessing to have met you. We hope that you will continue this lost art through drum circles and drum performances.
Karin R.
Mar 26, 2021
I took my 83 year-old mom to Motherland to purchase her a drum. She had been diagnosed with Parkinson's and it was suggested she learn to drum. London was so helpful, knowledgeable and patient in showing us both all the different types of drums. He offered a very nice discount and London gave us some beginning drumming tips. The drums are beautiful! We will be back for some more lessons and thanks for the wonderful experience! I really enjoyed enjoyed meeting you London and thanks for taking good care of my mom!
Cag Ag
Feb 28, 2021
I have been wanting to go to this place since last March! What a hidden gem for hand made African Drums and specialty instruments! They are works of Art hand crafted with fine wood and skins for a variety of amazing sounds. It is a true experience just to visit and tour this family owned and operated business in the heart of Inglewood. They are hands on, helpful and extremely kind. I high recommend to experience and purchase. They also support a local had made mask maker so I picked one up as well
Patricia Lewis
Nov 13, 2020
Great place to visit, a lot of hand craft musical instruments, Congo drums, Bongo's tambourine they even have classes to learn to play, also drum sessions pleasant environment, safe, clean, sanitized.prices are reasonable, if you love music this is a nice place to go.
Louis Carrillo
Nov 11, 2020
Ask for London. He was amazing to me. The vibe there makes it nothing short of a Los Angeles treasure. Beautiful instruments hand crafted drums not only from West Africa, but north Africa, South America as well with batas and gorgeous wooden cajons and the best sounding djembes anywhere. I found beautiful Calabash there which play daily. For a truly memorable experience, visit Motherland. Great music and truly great people.
Ed Intagliata
May 15, 2020
I had a most unusual drum - it looked like a 4' section of a coconut tree trunk with a head on top. The head was split so the drum was useless. After finding Motherland, I sent the 'tree trunk' to them and they did an absolutely beautiful job refinishing it and crafting a new head for it. Warning: it wasn't exactly cheap and they took a long time to do the job, but it came out beautifully and had a drum sound to it for the first time. I highly recommend them for unusual drum repairs and restoration.
Rosie C.
Feb 24, 2020
Our local neighborhood council hired Motherland music for a black history month event. Lunden and Papa Douf came out and put on a SHOW! It was educational, inspirational and soulful. Everyone had their own drum and the audience loved every moment of it. This was my first time working with them and I cannot wait to look for another opportunity to do it again!
Sky R.
Sep 23, 2019
By far best music shop in California! If your looking for quality instruments, shakers, bells, or just to have a really good this is the place! Dan and his son Lunden are the specialists they are very fair with prices and knowledgeable about the west African culture.
Brittany B.
Jun 23, 2019
I found a beat up djembe near a dumpster in Venice. Motherland Music did a beautiful job restoring it. This thing was on its last leg and literally in a trash can. Now it looks like a $300 drum. SO HAPPY AND IT SOUNDS AMAZING
Al Falcon
Jun 18, 2019
Great drum circle - a lot of fun. Owner and his son are wonderful, do everything to make everyone feel welcome. There are drums for sale, for rent, repair service is available, too. If one can't pay the whole price for the item, there's a layaway option. Every day there are classes, events. Awesome!
Jb E.
Mar 25, 2019
What a treasure this place is! When you see a world-class city like LA, you would assume there is a hidden gem where all the real African stuff is at. THIS IS IT
AfriKaren Plazdohtifaw DeCarriere
Mar 17, 2019
I WILL BE TAKING MY BIG BABY FOR REPAIR. I guarantee they will do a great job! I may even stay for the drum circle see ya there Sundays!
Don D.
Jun 27, 2018
The only authentic African percussion community and instruments in Los Angeles. Attended workshops and made a purchase when visiting His Angeles.
Michael F.
May 27, 2018
My first experience with MotherlandMusic was fabulous. I ordered the Ngoma (congolese style drum) that I have been wanting for 20 years. Rather than drive to LA from the SF Bay Area, I decided to handle the whole transaction on line and via phone. After about 6 weeks, I had it on my porch this past Satuday. I loved the look, the quality and the sound. It's just what I'd wanted, that deep earthy bass with nice sharp slaps too. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. thank you Dan & Motherland. I shall be back for more. Mike Fair
Manuel M.
Apr 28, 2018
Dan is a truly genuine person. He took time to answer all my questions, and make me feel welcome. In the end, there was this one Djembe that just spoke to me. Everything about my experience felt right. Just the way you hope it will when you're choosing an instrument. I couldn't be happier!
Ikescent I.
Apr 22, 2018
Spiritually just right, if you want to support Independent these place will always fit in!
Oliver V.
Mar 31, 2018
Purchased a Djembe at Guitar Center as it sounded very nice at the store. Once I got it home, it didn't sound the same so I looked online and found Motherland. Brought my Djembe there to ask Dan for some feedback and compare to the ones he has. Dan and Charles (craftsman) were very helpful with answering my questions and showing me different Djembes.

One of the teachers, Master Djembe instructor Bob, even added some needed "diamonds" ties to my Djembe which made it sound better but just shy of the sound I was looking for. I would have to change the rope and rim and put on a thicker head. Then Dan showed me this "one" Djembe and it sounded awesome to me. Bob played it, I played it and I was in love. Motherland has an amazing selection of true and authentic drums, all kinds of them. Fan for life!
Denzil M.
Apr 20, 2017
These guys did a great job with a new goat skin head on my djembe. Nice vibe. Highly recommended.
Shazza O.
Apr 19, 2017
Remember to bring exact change, especially if you are renting a drum to play. Everytime I've gone, they've never seem to have change for you.
Joao D.
Jun 13, 2016
This guy's are great. The gave a new leather to my African drum and now it's like new.
Adrianne H.
May 23, 2014
Anyone looking to have a fabulous experience in a drum store has got to put this location on their list. Dan the owner is a real gem. Drums are handmade. and they repair drums they even offer lessons. If you're looking for bongos, bells, etc.they have a fantastic selection.
Amy M.
Apr 12, 2012
I love this place.they only have djembe classes now on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I hope they add other types of drumming classes soon. I started djembe with zero experience but it's been fun.