Rokia Traoré

Rokia Traoré was born in 1974 in Bamako, Mali, into a family of musicians. Her father was a guitarist and her mother a singer, which meant she grew up hearing traditional Malian music from the start. In 1997 she released her first album, 'Mouneïssa,' and followed it with 'Wanita' in 2000.

Her songs like 'A Ou Ni Sou' and 'Beautiful Africa' often circle around themes of identity and social justice, with a particular focus on women's lives. The music itself mixes traditional Malian rhythms with contemporary arrangements, creating something that feels both rooted and quietly modern.

Traoré has faced some criticism in Mali for speaking openly about women's rights, but she's kept writing and recording. Her 2009 album 'Tchamantché' included 'A Ou Ni Sou,' which became something of an anthem in certain circles.