Rokia Traore
b. 26 January 1974, Beledougou, Mali. A singer/composer originally from the south of the country, her father was a diplomat who moved his family around the world, exposing Traor to a diverse range of cultures during her childhood. As a member of the Bamana ethnic group, Traor was able by custom to pursue singing as a career without suffering the constraints placed on other Malian vocalists descended from noble families. She recorded her debut Mounessa in 1997 and it was released the following year. It received a highly favourable response among followers of acoustic-based African music and reached number 3 in the World Music European Airplay chart. More relaxed and melodic than many Malian artists, Traor's music features her strong, sweet voice backed by ngoni (Malian mini guitar), balafon (West African xylophone), bass and percussion. It possesses a hypnotic intensity and there are echoes of the blues in some songs (Malian bluesmaster Ali Farka Tour is thanked on the sleeve of the album). The impressive follow-up Wanita follows a similar path, with Traor vocalising intensely personal lyrics within a traditional musical framework.
Listen to Rokia Traore
at Finetune.
Albums
- (2004) Bowmboi
Top Tracks
- M'Bifo
- Bowmboi
- Deli
- Sabali
- Kanou
Related Artists
- Salif Keita
- Ali Farka Toure
- Baaba Maal
- Angelique Kidjo
- Youssou N'Dour
- Amadou & Mariam
- Cesaria Evora
- Oumou Sangare
- Toumani Diabate
- Fela Kuti
- Habib Koite
- Ali Farka Toure And Toumani Diabate
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Papa Wemba
- King Sunny Ade
- Miriam Makeba
- Orchestra Baobab
- Paul Simon
- Toure Kunda
- Boubacar Traore
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