Bubacar Galissa Kouyaté, better known as Nino Galissa, is a songwriter and kora player born in Gabu (Guinea Bissau) where he grew up steeped in the world of the kora. He currently lives in Spain.
Nino is the descendent of a Manding jali (griot) family, the fathers of West African music, counselors to kings and jealous guardians of the Manding musical heritage for centuries.
The jalis work as social historians relaying chronicles from one country to another. Consequently Nino, with a view to adapting this role to the present day, began to compose songs with a social end according to the need of people to witness the lived and the yet to be lived. For periods of crisis, encouragement, periods of plenty, a reminder of those less fortunate. In times of suffering, sympathy, and a recognition of the priceless value of the happier times.
In 1997 he recorded his first album, “N’Namolu” (My People), where he fuses traditional West African music with pop, funk, reggae and jazz. The album included lyrics written in Mandinka, Creole, Portuguese, English and Spanish that deal with social problems, class inequality, the cruelty of the human being, love, and peace. In December 2000, Spanish label Ventilador Music released it worldwide.
In 2002 his second album was published, “Djambadon” (“Ritmo de las hojas”) produced by Nino Galissa himself. His professional career began to expand by showcasing at various international events. The following year he was selected as “Upcoming Artist” by the AIE (“Association of Performers of Spain”) to carry out a tour at national level within the program” Artists in Route”.
In 2004, Nino Galissa released his third album “Mindjer” (“Woman”), projecting his career as a musician internationally. A disc dedicated to women that generated the “Tour Mindjer.”
“Mindjer” is born out of the sadness that Nino Galissa felt after learning about the numerous and frequent cases of domestic violence. “Mindjer” featured kora combined with percussion instruments, and with dance, a very special show based on African roots along with Afropop. In June of 2004, he presented his first music video: “Afri Mansaya”.
In 2009, he released: “Africa Today”, where he reflects the Africa with which he dreams: where hunger, misery, war, disease, and death (pushing the youth to migrate) cease to be news, with music taking its place. Music as the protagonist and symbol of union among all Africans, and of solidarity with them. For this reason, all the songs on the album carry a message of Hope, Love and Peace, integrating all the styles of the current Music of Africa.
Discography:
N’Namolu (Ventilador, 2000)
Djambadon (Ventilador, 2002)
Mindjer (Ventilador, 2004)
Africa Today (2009)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
