Rokia Kone

Rokia Koné is one of Mali’s most beloved artists and a member of supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique. Her debut album in collaboration with Jacknife Lee (U2, Taylor Swift) earned her widespread acclaim. She makes her Kings Place debut, as part of Songlines Encounters Festival.

One of Mali’s most dynamic artists, Rokia Koné is a force to be reckoned with. She has a voice that soars – pure, clear and true — above infectious Mande guitar grooves and traditional percussion, and her captivating performances run the gamut of emotion from joy to despair, fury to tenderness, wielding that astounding voice with grace and power. Born and raised in Ségou, the cradle of the ancient Bamana kingdom, Rokia draws on a rich tradition of griot storytelling and has a deep connection with her Malian ancestry. In 2017 she joined the all-female music collective Les Amazones d’Afrique, who use music as a vehicle to campaign for gender equality in Africa.

Following the release of her widely-lauded debut album BAMANAN in collaboration with rock producer Jacknife Lee (U2, R.E.M., Taylor Swift) which brought her two All Africa Music Award nominations and The New York Times Critic’s Pick, now Rokia is putting her gritty, soaring, griot-infused vocals to Malian guitar and a West African percussive pulse. It’s the sound of an emerging legend replenishing her roots.

Presented by Kings Place.

All ages