Traoré was born in Kolokani, Mali as a member of the Bambara ethnic group. As her father was a diplomat, she travelled widely in her youth travelling to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, France and Belgium. As a result of this travel, she was exposed to a wide variety of influences.
The Bambara also had a tradition of griot performing at weddings although members of the nobility such as Traoré are discouraged from performing as musicians. Traoré attended lycée in Mali when her father was stationed in Brussels and started performing publicly. As well as guitar she plays ngoni (lute) and balafon.
In 1997 she linked with Mali musician Ali Farka Touré which raised her profile. She won a Radio France Internationale prize as African discovery of 1997, an honor previously won by Mali's Habib Koité in 1993.
Her first album Mouneïssa (Label Bleu), released in late 1997 in Mali and 1998 in Europe, was acclaimed for its fresh treatment and unqualifiable combinations of several Malian music traditions such as her use of the ngoni and the balafon. It sold over 40,000 copies in Europe.
In 2000, her second album Wanita was released. Traoré wrote and arranged the whole album. The album was widely acclaimed with the New York Times nominating it as one of its critics' albums of the year.
Her 2003 album Bowmboï has two tracks recorded with the Kronos Quartet but still sung in the Bambara language, and was awarded the prestigious BBC 3 World Music Award. As of 2005, she has been nominated three times for this award.
In 2008, her latest album "Tchamantché" was released.
ADDITIONAL READING:
Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Rokia Traoré’s Beautiful Africa will be released on April 1, 2013, by Nonesuch Records in France and April 8, 2013 in Europe, Canada and USA. The record was produced by English musician John Parish (PJ Harvey, Eels, Sparklehorse) and recorded at Toybox Studios in Bristol, UK. Its lyrics are sung in the Malian–born Traoré’s native languages of French and Bambara, as well as some English.
Pitchfork described Traoré’s most recent record, 2009’s Tchamantché, as “a guitar album of a particularly understated bent...hauntingly spare yet ridiculously well-defined, the timbre and tone of every string presented in perfect resolution.” And the BBC World Service called it “One of the best albums of the year. An absolute stunner.” Tchamantché also won a Victoires de la Musique (the equivalent of a Grammy Award in France) and a Songlines Artist of the Year Award for Traoré.
The daughter of a Malian diplomat who was posted to the US, Europe, and the Middle East, Traoré studied sociology in Brussels before embarking on her musical career. Although based in Bamako, Traoré has, for her son’s safety, temporarily relocated to Paris due to the current conflict in Mali. Her music draws upon her homeland’s traditions as well as the European and American rock and pop she has listened to throughout her life.
Traoré has explored a breadth of directions in her career. She recently collaborated with Nobel Prize–winning novelist Toni Morrison and MacArthur “Genius” Grant winning director Peter Sellars on the theater piece Desdemona. The piece premiered in Vienna in the summer of 2011 and received its New York premiere at Lincoln Center that fall; its UK premiere was at the Barbican in London in the summer of 2012. The Guardian called it “a remarkable, challenging and bravely original new work.”
The Barbican also produced a three-night series of shows by Traoré that summer, entitled Donguili – Donke – Damou (Sing – Dance – Dream). For the Sing evening, held at the Barbican, Traoré and mandolinist/former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones joined young musicians from Traoré’s training program in Mali, Foundation Passerelle. Dance, at the Village Underground rock club, featured Traoré and her band playing the high-energy, danceable shows she is well known for—joined by Parish on guitar. And for Dream, which took place in an East End theater, Traoré narrated an ancient Malian tale, with occasional musical interludes. Australia’s Sydney Festival also presented Donguili – Donke – Damou in January 2013. Traoré was awarded the inaugural Roskilde Festival World Music Award in 2009 for her work with Foundation Passerelle.
In the autumn of 2012, Traoré joined Damon Albarn’s UK train tour Africa Express, performing scheduled concerts in Middlesbrough, Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, Bristol, and London as well as pop-up performances at railway stations, schools, factories, offices, shopping centers, and private homes. Other musicians on the tour included John Paul Jones, Amadou Bagayoko, Baaba Maal, and Paul McCartney.
Kounandi
Rokia Traoré Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kounandi is a song by Rokia Traoré that speaks of the power of nature and how it influences the lives of those who live in it. The song is about the connection between humans and the earth and how we are all part of a larger ecosystem. Traoré's lyrics are poetic and evoke a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world.
In Kounandi, Traoré sings about how the earth provides us with everything we need to survive and thrive. She talks about how the sun, the water, and the air are all part of a larger cycle that sustains life. She also speaks of the power of the wind and how it can shape the land and move everything in its path.
Line by Line Meaning
Tangoya, kounandi
The sound of the talking drums echoes through the air, calling out the name Kounandi.
Kounandi, kounandi
Kounandi, a name that is repeated again and again, representing the heartbeat of the village and its people.
Seyidou, té mo do akè
Seyidou, come and join us, let us dance and celebrate together.
Tangoya, kounandi
Once again the talking drums sound, pulsing with the rhythm of the community.
Kounandi, kounandi
The name Kounandi resonates, embodying the spirit of the village and its people.
Kounandi tara, ko be gnan kènè
Kounandi, a place where everyone is welcome and where love and peace prevail.
Seyidou, té mo do akè
Seyidou, come and be a part of our celebration, join in the joy and excitement.
Tangoya, kounandi
The sound of the talking drums permeates the atmosphere, signaling the start of the festivities.
Kounandi, kounandi
Kounandi, the heartbeat of the village, the embodiment of the community's spirit and soul.
Contributed by Michael D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@buttergurls6401
Oh God that instrumental is HITTING!! BEAUTIFUL!!
@deborahs.jacobs9102
Her instrumentals are exquisite and beautifully complement her vocals (I don't understand Bambara). Want to watch her play the instruments in a concert video.
@brahimacisse311
This song as well as the others by Rokia is so meaningful, so inspiring! Undestanding Bambara makes it possible for me to fully enjoy the song. Kounadi: Lucky
@polish4you307
Brahima Cisse what is the song about? I guess it is really deep
@MrMarley36
very, very, very, very, beautiful, thank you Rokia for making me smile today.
@orleansbeaute9892
Thierry D
C est kony tu me manques
@dukenegju
What is the song about? Somehow it feels like sad listening to it regularly daily, on the other hand it has a delicat touch that transforms differently if being about/for love. :) Would really love to know the lyrics or meaning. And I don't know why I am attracted to West African music for some time now. Maybe simply because I just came across them. Love
@vocaetk
inspirerend,als perfect zen liedje
,met de innerlijke heupbeweging
@arbataxiansoul
meravigliosa canzone... it would be great the have an English translation
@Cheveuluxe
Any translation please?
Greetings from neighborhood Algeria ❤️