Kankou Kouyate is a singer and songwriter, from one of Mali’s formost musical families.

Her versatility and openness to musical exchanges have allowed her to work with many of the most respected artists in Mali, including Toumani Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate and Cheick Tidiane Seck, and international stars such as Damon Albarn, Brian Eno and Nick Zinner.

In 2017, Kankou met the Scottish musician and producer Mark Mulholland in Bamako. The musical connection between them became clear from their first meeting, resulting in a repertoire of original songs blending African and western influences in a fresh and innovative style. The Parisian musician Olaf Hund added a layer of electronic beats and textures, which combine with the rock-, blues- and folk-flavoured guitars and Kankou’s magical voice to create a unique and enchanting musical tapestry.

Their first album, “Kuma”, was released in December 2019, to coincide with a performance at Africolor, France’s premier African music festival, and has been receiving fantastic reviews.