Habib Koité & Bamada

Hailing from the West African nation of Mali, guitarist and composer Habib Koité has been named the biggest pop star of the region by Rolling Stone. His artistry and magnetic personality have made him an international star, placing him firmly among the leading figures in contemporary world music. Koité‘s most recent release, Soô (which translates to “home”), looks squarely at his native land, a country torn apart by violence, at a time when a real feeling of home couldn’t be more vital.

His reputation as a guitar player has become almost mythical, combining rock and classical techniques with Malian tunings that make the guitar sound like a kora or ngoni.
— The New York Times