ABOUBAKAR TRAORÉ

& BALIMA

" 1th place World Music Charts Europe - Jan '25"

"splendid debut album (...) Sababu is even better"

★★★★ - Songlines

“An absolutely cracking album.”

BBC Radio 3 (Music Planet)

"Un disque d'aujourd'hui, mais dans la tradition"

Le choix musical de RFI

“Their second album travels in the footsteps of Mandingo griot storytellers but updates the sonic backdrop, which is hypnotic but also has an oomph that might appeal to rock-friendly festival audiences.”

Arts Desk

"The music, clearly rooted in West-African Griot tradition reaches high standards and the charismatic and energetic performance will inevitably lead people to the dancefloor and please even the most critical listeners among us."

- Quote from LaBestia -

Aboubakar Traoré, the mesmerizing voice and virtuoso of the Kamélé n'Goni from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, is redefining the Mandingo Griot tradition for a new generation. With an unwavering commitment to his roots, Traoré breathes new life into the songs of his ancestors, weaving stories of resilience, love, and struggle that resonate deeply in the heart of Africa. His music is a powerful, contemporary expression of hope and transformation, rooted in the timeless rhythms of West Africa yet bold in its forward-looking vision.

His latest album, Sababu, has made an undeniable impact on the global music scene, soaring to number 1 on the World Music Charts Europe in January 2025. This milestone cements Traoré’s position as one of the most exciting voices in world music today.

Building on the success of his debut album Tama Tama, which earned a nomination for the prestigious Octaves de la Musique in 2021, and a showcase at Visa For Music 2023, Traoré has elevated his artistry with Sababu. This follow-up album takes his craft to new heights, delving even deeper into the intricate and rich traditions of the Mandingo griots while pushing the boundaries of modern sound in exhilarating new directions.

Aboubakar Traoré is not just a musician—he is a cultural architect, blending the powerful heritage of the griots with a visionary, cross-continental sound. His music pulses with the unmistakable rhythms of West Africa, yet transcends geographical boundaries, reflecting the multicultural, interconnected world we inhabit today. Sababu isn’t just an album; it’s a global conversation, a celebration of diversity, unity, and transformation.

Behind Traoré’s visionary music is a stellar ensemble of musicians, including Zonatan Dembélé (bass), former member of Rokia Traoré’s band; Désiré Somé (electric guitar), who has worked with Bai Kamar Jr.'s The Voodoo Sniffers and Foofango; along with percussionists Guillaume Codutti and Geoffrey Desmet, both integral members of the percussive powerhouse Sysmo.

Aboubakar Traoré - Kamélé n'goni, lead vocal
Désiré Somé - Guitar, backing vocals
Guillaume Codutti - Percussion, backing vocals
Geoffrey Desmet - Balafon, djembe, backing vocals

Zonatan Dembélé - Bass, Guitar