Solo Diarra – Yimenga (Global Sonics GS06125, 2025) Yimenga is the debut solo album of Burkinan multi-instrumentalist Solo Diarra. Yimenga means “Be Yourself” in Bambara.…
Yimenga, Solo Debut by Solo Diarra
Tag: Burkina Faso
Artist Profiles: Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band
Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band was a contemporary world music group from Burkina Faso. Coming from the city of Bobo-Diulasso, the group was rooted…
Artist Profiles: Mamadou Diabaté (balafon)
Percussionist and composer Mamadou Diabaté was born in Wagadugu, Burkina Faso in 1973. He began his musical training at the age of five with his…
Artist Profiles: Fatoumata “Djeli Mama” Dembele
Fatoumata Dembele is a griot, singer, dancer. She was born in 1972 in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. She is the daughter of griot parents and thus…
Artist Profiles: Burkina Electric
Burkina Electric was the first electronica band from Burkina Faso, in the deep interior of West Africa. With its main base in the music scene…
Artist Profiles: Badenya les Freres Coulibaly
Formed in Nuna, located in northwestern Burkina Faso, Badenya les Freres Coulibaly are part of a family of griots (musician storytellers, also known as jali…
Modern Songs Rooted in Burkinabe Jeli Tradition
Massa Dembele – Mezana Dounia (Izniz Recordings, 2017) Mezana Dounia is the first album recorded by jeli (praise singers, social commentators and historians, also known…
Artist Profiles: Farafina
Farafina was founded in the early eighties in Burkina Faso. Right from the beginning they were enthusiastically welcomed by their audiences who were fascinated by…
Artist Profiles: Alif Naaba
Alif Naaba has been steeped in the musical traditions of Burkina Faso, West Africa. His Afropop style combines pulsating polyrhythmic percussion, kora textures, and funky…
Jembe Maestro from Burkina Faso
Adama Dramé : Dakan (Buda Musique CD 4790380, 2016) Master drummer Adama Dramé, from Burkina Faso, celebrates his 50-year career with Dakan. Dramé is one…