Go Back

First Name: 
Last Name: 
Stage Name: 
Country: 
Born: 
Primary Language: 
Other Languages: 

Participations

10
Performer
10
Songwriter

Bio

Kandia Kouyaté (also known as Kandja Kouyaté, born in 1959 in Kita, Mali) is a Malian jelimuso (a female griot) and kora player; she has earned the prestigious title of ngara, and is sometimes called La dangereuse and La grande vedette malienne. Kouyaté's dense, emotional, hypnotic manner of singing and her lyrical talents have earned huge acclaim in Mali, though she remained relatively little known outside Africa, due to extremely limited availability of her recordings. Her home town of Kita is known for love songs, which form a large part of Kouyaté's repertoire. She also sings praise songs. Kouyaté's career began in the early 1980s, when she started using female choral vocals accompanying her. This practice was later picked up by stars like Mory Kante and Salif Keita, and is now an integral part of Malian music. In 1983, she recorded[2] two vinyl discs, Amary Daou présente Kandia Kouyaté and Kandja Kouyaté et L’Ensemble Instrumental National du Mali. Her debut solo album is Kita Kan.

Discography

Albums8
Renascence
Renascence2015 • AlbumTracks: 10
Sa Kunu Sa
Sa Kunu Sa2012 • AlbumTracks: 7
Biriko
Biriko2012 • AlbumTracks: 13
Kita Kan
Kita Kan1999 • AlbumTracks: 9
Woulale
Woulale1998 • AlbumTracks: 7
The Divas from Mali
The Divas from Mali1997 • AlbumTracks: 10
Ngara
Ngara1993 • AlbumTracks: 7
Amary Daou
Amary Daou1993 • AlbumTracks: 8

Label

Record Label associated with Kandia Kouyate - past and current.

    Similar Artists

    Mola Sylla
    Mola SyllaSenegal |1956| French
    Mola Sylla is a Senegalese musician. He was born in Dakar, Senegal in 1956 and moved to Europe in 1987. Sylla is known for his singing and expertise in playing instruments such as the Mbira, Kongoma, Xalam, and Kalimba. He has collaborated with diverse musicians. Some notable collaborations include his work with Ernst Reijseger on the score for Werner Herzog's film The Wild Blue Yonder and his membership in the groups Senemali and VeDaKi (formerly known as Vershki da Koreshki).
    Joseph Tawadros
    Joseph TawadrosEgypt |1983| Arabic
    Joseph Tawadros AM, an Egyptian-born Coptic Australian artist, is a remarkable composer, accomplished multi-instrumentalist, and virtuoso of the oud. His musical journey began at the tender age of 8. Tawadros has a sound foundation in classical music, earning a bachelor of music degree from the University of New South Wales and a Freedman Fellowship for Classical Music. Notably, he is the first and sole Australian composer in the esteemed Academy of Ancient Music to perform work in the United Kingdom. He has four ARIA awards to his name and is renowned for seamlessly navigating across genres and numerous collaborations, illustrating his ability to transcend musical boundaries.
    Tunde Jegede
    Tunde JegedeNigeria |1972| English
    Tunde Jegede is a world-renowned composer, producer, cellist, and kora virtuoso known for his unique blend of classical, jazz and traditional music. He studied both Western classical music and the Griot Tradition of West Africa. Jegede is the founder of several ensembles, including the Art Ensemble of Lagos and the African Classical Music Ensemble; and the Artistic Director of the MUSON Centre. He also curates Living Legacies, Gambia's first traditional music archive, and directs New Horizons, an educational initiative for young Nigerian musicians.
    Mounir Troudi
    Mounir TroudiTunisia |1968| Arabic
    Mounir Troudi is a renowned Tunisian singer, well-known for his captivating fusion of jazz and Sufi music. Growing up in vibrant Tunis, his musical journey immersed him in a rich cultural tapestry. In 1998, he earned his diploma in Arabic music, deepening his artistry. Collaborating with Fadhel Jaziri in 1994 on "Hadhra," he showcased his exceptional vocal prowess and unique fusion of Sufi and contemporary sounds. Forming Nagouz in the early 2000s expanded his musical horizons. Partnering with jazz trumpet virtuoso Erik Truffaz led to memorable albums. "Tawassol" in 2010 solidified his dynamic musical force, bridging cultures and genres. He continues to make music that resonates with his fans. Troudi's global recognition stems from his cross-cultural musical journey, uniting hearts worldwide.
    Fanta Sacko
    Fanta SackoMali |1930| Other
    Fanta Sacko with the stage name Fanta Sacko,is a renowned Malian Musician who is credited with the launching of the banjourou music genre with her debut album, self titled LP. As a trailblazer in the music industry, she has helped establish a female singing tradition in Mali. In a region where female musician are not generally approved of, Fanta's success and influence have been instrumental in breaking barriers and paving the way for other women to succeed in the industry.
    Daby Balde
    Daby BaldeSenegal |1969| French
    Daby Balde, recognized as the "King of Fouladou," is a Senegalese Afropop artist and songwriter celebrated for preserving Fulani culture. Overcoming family opposition, he embarked on a music career, influenced by Allison Claire Burden, who bought him his first guitar. Mastering the guitar, he crafted a unique sound blending calabash, kora, and guitar rhythms. His albums, including "Halanaam" and "Mamdiyel," gained international acclaim, with "Introducing Daby Balde" making him a sensation in England and Germany. Singing in various languages, his lyrics touch on peace, brotherhood, and African values.
    Foday Musa Suso
    Foday Musa SusoGambia |1950| Afrikaans
    Foday Musa Suso (born 9 December 1953, in Sarre Hamadi, Wuli District, in the Upper River Division of The Gambia) is a Gambian musician and composer. He is a member of the Mandinka ethnic group, and is a griot. Griots are the oral historians and musicians of the Mandingo people who live in several west African nations. Griots are a living library for the community providing history, entertainment, and wisdom while playing and singing their songs. It is an extensive verbal and musical heritage that can only be passed down within a griot family.
    Dahiru Kakkabi
    Dahiru KakkabiNigeria |1920| Hausa
    Dahiru Kakkabi is a prominent Hausa singer and musician from Northern Nigeria. Growing up in this vibrant region (Northern Nigeria), he embraced music early on, driven by a desire to share his people's stories. Rooted in Hausa music traditions, he swiftly rose to fame, leaving an indelible mark on the genre. His mesmerizing compositions like "Dan Shayi," "Aisha," and "Maka" resonate deeply, becoming anthems of emotional connection. With poignant lyrics and a genuine voice, he forges profound bonds with listeners. Kakkabi's talent commands a devoted following among Hausa music enthusiasts, transcending barriers and ensuring his legacy endures, preserving Northern Nigeria's musical heritage.
    Sierra Leone Music
    Sierra Leone MusicSierra Leone |1920| French
    Sierra Leone's music is a mixture of native, French, British, West Indian and Creole musical genres. Palm wine music is representative, played by an acoustic guitar with percussion in countries throughout coastal West Africa. Sierra Leone, like much of West Africa is open to Rap, Reggae, Dancehall, R&B, and Grime.