Idris Elba to release album inspired by Nelson Mandela

London: Actor Idris Elba is due to release an album of songs inspired by Nelson Mandela. For his studio debut, Elba has enlisted the help of artists including James Blake, Mumford and Sons, Mr Hudson and Nothembi Mkhwebane, reportedly.

Elba, 42, said he began listening to South African music when he was preparing to play Mandela in 2013's 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom'.

"(It) was part of my research," he said in a promo video. "I wanted to understand what music (Mandela) liked, and so in that journey I discovered the roots of South African music ... At the time I had (a) studio (in) the apartment I was staying in... A little keyboard, a laptop, and as an experiment to myself I vowed to keep making music," he added.

This is Elba's first album as he has released three EPs and staged several one-off rap and DJ gigs. The album is titled Mi Mandela and will be out on November 24.