Artists

When born a Cissoko, one is a kora player. The Guinean Ba Cissoko perpetuates a more than centenary history. He is the last born of a long lineage of griots, master singers and agile string pluckers.

Ba Cissoko knows all the codes and secrets of tradition. He estimates its reach, for read more

Bamba Nazar spent his childhood in the South American country of Suriname. As a young man he lived in New York and Los Angeles where he made his entry into the music industry as a producer. Since then he's worked with some of the most influential artists in hiphop such read more

Banana Zorro is one of Tanzania's most popular musicians. The son of legendary singer Ally Zorro, he recorded with his father and produced two tracks called Anakudanganya and Big Boss. On the back of these singles, he joined the group BloveM (Banana loves Masiga).

[[[In 2002, he released his debut album, read more

British Council supports young emerging artists through their WaPi (Words and Pictures) programme that has provided platforms for youth to showcase their talents in many countries around Africa. In Tanzania, during 2009 WaPi has visited Iringa, Arusha and Mwanza as well as hosting regular events in Dar es Salaam and read more

Chidi Benz aka King Kong (born Rashidi Abdallah Makwiro, in 1985) is presently one of Tanzania’s most respected hiphop artists and singers. He is the founder member and leader of LAFamilia group, based in Ilala district, Dar es Salaam.

Chidi Benz is one of the more creative artists in the read more

Dawda Jobarteh is a Denmark-based artist, originally from The Gambia. He takes his griot heritage seriously, being the grandson of Alhaji Bai Konte and son of Amadou Bansang Jobarteh. In Mandinka kora music, both were legends of their times.

Dawda learned music playing calabash at the feet of his uncle Malamin. read more