Kankou Kouyaté et les Etoiles de Garaná

Kankou Kouyate is the niece of the n’goni master Bassekou Kouyate. Part of one of the most respected griot families in Mali, she grew up surrounded with music, a further descendant from generations of the finest n’goni players in the country. She became the music student of her uncle Cheick Oumar Diabaté at the age often. Kankou has since worked with giants like Toumani Diabate, Madou Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate, Cheick Tidianne Seck, Salif Keita, Habib Koite, and Vieux Farka Touré and took part in Brian Eno and Damian Albarn’s Africa Express in 2013. In 2024 she released her first solo album, N’Darila, going back to her roots with her philosophical lyrics in the Manding tradition, interpreting her social surroundings and society, discoursing through music, discussing life, women’s rights and good behaviour towards your fellow humans.