(headline image: Badenya les Freres Coulibaly – Photo by Atelier images) The jembe is a rope-tuned, skin-headed goblet drum associated above all with Mandé cultural…
The Jembe: West Africa’s Famed Goblet Drum
Tag: Malian music
Mama Koné, a Percussionist with a Bamako Groove
Born in Mopti, Mali, in 1983, Mama Koné comes from a griot family rooted in traditional music. He grew up around the balafon, jembe, ngoni,…
Fatoumata Diawara Celebrates Freedom on New Single, “Fala”
Malian singer-guitarist Fatoumata Diawara has released a single named “Fala.” The song’s title means “orphan” in Bambara (language of Mali). It is a haunting ballad…
Mama Sissoko Returns With Diamond Fingers After A Decade
Mama Sissoko – Diamond Fingers (One World Records, 2026) Malian guitarist Mama Sissoko will be releasing his long-delayed album Diamond Fingers on March 6, 2026.…
Mali Duo Neba Solo and Benego Diakité Tops March 2026 Transglobal World Music Chart
Neba Solo and Benego Diakité have reached No. 1 on the Transglobal World Music Chart for March 2026 with A Djinn and a Hunter Went…
Bala Master: Neba Solo Brings Mali’s Balafon To The World Stage
Malian musician Neba Solo (born Souleymane Traoré in 1969), is a leading contemporary figure of the pentatonic Senufo balafon tradition, known in Mali as the…
Meet Benego Diakité, Kamale Ngoni Maestro from Mali
(Headine image: Benego Diakité – Photo by Aboubacar Traoré) Brehima “Benego” Diakité (b. 1965) was born and raised in Siekorolé, in the Yanfolila cercle of…
Africa Oyé Adds Fatoumata Diawara For 2026
Africa Oyé Festival has named Fatoumata Diawara as its latest announced act for this summer’s event in Liverpool. The Grammy-nominated Malian guitarist and singer returns…
Oumou Sangaré’s Ko Sira Brought Wassulu Power To The World Stage
Oumou Sangare – Ko Sira (World Circuit/Rounder, 1993) Malian singer Oumou Sangaré cemented her international profile with Ko Sira, her second widely distributed release, delivered…
Kunbe Brings The Power of Afro-Rock Fusion to Fanga
Kunbe – Fanga (Adjololo Records, 2025) Fanga, the second album from Kunbe, continues the collaboration between Malian musicians and the Livenais brothers, longtime figures in…