Bassekou Kouyaté: Ba Power

Bassekou Kouyaté comes from one of Mali’s most important musical families, and has deep roots in the centuries-old griot culture. Griots are distinguished musicians and storytellers with ancestry reaching back several generations. Kouyaté was born into this rich tradition but is now regarded as a pioneering innovator within it. In his music, political texts that raise awareness of the living conditions of the Malian people are accompanied by danceable African rhythms, pointing to the African roots of blues.

With its unrelenting, driving rhythms and distorted guitar sounds, Bassekou Kouyaté’s fourth album »Ba Power« redefines the afro-rock genre. Kouyaté’s ngoni-playing is more intensive than ever, and Amy Sacko’s (Kouyaté’s wife) singing has never been more passionate.

Over the last ten years, Bassekou Kouyaté has not only established himself as one of the leading musicians in Mali, but also in the whole of Africa and beyond. He has given hundreds of concerts around the world, including at festivals such as Glastonbury, Roskilde and WOMAD, and he has worked with international stars such as Taj Mahal, Damon Albarn and Paul McCartney.