Mamadou Lamine Diao, a musician and producer who performs as Tukkiman, has a plan. But whether or not he decides to keep that plan remains to be seen.

Diao’s interest in music first developed from an early age in his native Senegal with a love of Tracy Chapman. Growing up in a large, dramatic family, Diao said he’d hole away with a Walkman to listen to music like Chapman’s as well as Jamaican, Senegalese and English pop and rock music. Later, artists like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley inspired him to make music of his own. He received his first instrument, a guitar, at the age of 19.

“I was just a young Black man in the hood, struggling, and this is Africa, in a very violent area,” he recalled. “When I received the gift of the guitar, I got it from Chicago, because I (have) family here. So they shipped the guitar to me, and they actually kind of saved me from a lot of trouble that was happening at that time. Because every time I was trying to learn how to play, my friends were getting into trouble.”

Later, after graduating from high school and college, it was making his own music again that helped him heal. During a law school exam, Diao blacked out and woke up in a mental health facility, ultimately staying there for 10 days.

“When I got home, I had anxiety, lots of problems, like mental health problems. But every time I would play my guitar, I would feel great,” he said. After that, music, instead of his studies, became his number one priority.

“My relationship with music is more medicinal. That’s something I really prioritize, because in my routine, if I don’t do it, I think all my demons and the things I was going through (during) childhood come back and surface. (Music) will help me like, actually oxygenate myself. I feel in tune with myself.”

Diao moved from Senegal to Paris, yet he did not always feel creatively fueled in the city. Half his family migrated to Chicago 30 years ago, making Chicago a natural fit for the artist. During his visits from Paris, he also met a manager and music business partner, making his desire to relocate to Chicago even stronger.

However, visiting Chicago and living in the city are two different things. During his time here, Diao has learned the city’s eclectic culture and how to navigate with other artists. And creatively, he has learned more about engineering and producing, both for other artists as well as for himself.

The result of these efforts include a new album, titled “On the Afro.” The 10-track record, largely crafted in the Afrobeat style, is an infectious summertime treat and a perfectly timed body of work. In recent years, the long-popular and international genre of Afrobeat music has made its way to U.S. shores, gaining traction with partygoers interested in groove-heavy beats that work for both the dance floor and the lounge. “I was like, man, I’ve been doing this, like 10 years ago. Literally, I pulled out tracks that I’ve done almost 10 years ago. Just cleaned them a little bit, tweaked them a little bit. And it’s Afrobeat. Like, I’m so good at this, and it’s just time,” he said.

“On the Afro” came out in January. A video for the new single “So Natural” came out last month and has racked up tens of thousands of views.

Yet Diao’s skills extend far beyond one genre. An eclectic artist with an eclectic taste in music, it may be surprising to hear Tukkiman’s first album, which incorporates elements of “everything” and some found “confusing.” From hip-hop and R&B to reggae and rock, Diao said he makes music across genres, reflecting his tastes both as an artist and as a listener.

“My philosophy of music is just like a journey. I get your Afrobeat album, but maybe next year, I can do a type of sexy D’Angelo R&B album mixed with a tiny bit of Afro something,” he began. “Should I just stick to this? Because it’s good. It’s easy, it’s fun, or can I just do this and then next year, come back with a whole new world? (I think) people will be like, ‘Oh, this is him. This is Tuki. This is what you can do.”

Tukkiman next performs 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 2 as part of the Live on the Lake series at the Navy Pier Beer Garden, 600 E. Grand Avenue; free, more information at navypier.org. Then 9:30 p.m. July 19 with Project Blackbird at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia Ave.; tickets $12 (ages 21+) at hideoutchicago.com.

Britt Julious is a freelance critic.