Kadialy Kouyate
- Release
- 06/27/2025
About
“Senegalese kora virtuoso/singer Kadialy Kouyaté showcases his fleet-fingered skills on this mesmerizing instrument, complementing it with his hauntingly, darkly beautiful voice.” –Time Out London
Born into the great line of Kouyate Griot in Southern Senegal, Kadialy Kouyate’s kora playing and singing style, both as a soloist and in different ensembles, have been appreciated in many prestigious venues including the Royal Festival Hall, the 02 Arena, the National Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall and Clarence House. Kadialy has also played venues and festivals across the world, touring to Europe, Australia and North America. Since his arrival in the UK, Kadialy has played a significant part in enriching the London musical scene with his griot legacy. Kadialy has taught the kora at SOAS, University of London, for the last decade and he has also been involved in countless musical projects both as a collaborator and a session musician. He toured with the RSC’s production of Julius Caesar and other theatre projects include working at the London Globe Theatre on a show called We The People as well as touring three children theatre projects with the renowned Oily Cart. In 2015 he took part in the remaking of the TV series Roots as a musician, cultural consultant and dialect coach. Kadialy has released several albums, and makes regular radio and television appearances.
With his Sound Archive, Kadialy Kouyate draws on his heritage and its traditional songs to create his own mesmerising compositions, leading his fantastic band into the West African groove.
His latest album Nemo meaning Blessings in Mandinka was released in April 2020 and has won rave reviews from the press. Nemo was recently selected Top of The World in the July 2020 issue of the Songline Magazine.
“Kadialy’s strong deep voice that impresses…on the Youssou N’dour-esque opener ‘Ye Nale’…” Jane Cornwell – Songline Magazine
“It’s great to hear Kadialy Kouyate firmly back in his own Mandinka territory. This album Na Kitabo (My Book) by the kora player and singer is rooted in his own Senégalese tradition and has all the hallmarks of a classic in the making. The themes of the songs counteract humanity’s current obsession with negativity in the world and focus instead on happiness.”Rhythmpassport
“….ADMIRABLE SKILL AND PRECISION.” – SONGLINES #125 –
“SUCCESSFUL PIECE OF WEST AFRICAN AFRO-POP WITH A MESSAGE.” – TROPICALIDAD.BE –
World Music/Traditional | World Music/Contemporary
Links
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Toña, the 9th Album from Senegalese Kora Virtuoso Kadialy Kouyate, Releases Worldwide on June 27th, 2025.
A powerhouse in London’s music scene, Kadialy Kouyate has collaborated with the likes of Mumford & Sons, Baaba Maal, Abel Selaocoe…
Previous album Terri Kunda – House of Friendship (feat. pipa virtuoso Gao Hong) won TWO Global Music Awards & earned 5 STARS from Songlines Magazine!
Performed on Later with Jools Holland with Mahalia and Pa Salieu, as well as at legendary venues such as The Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Royal Albert Hall.
With his ninth album, Toña, Kadialy Kouyate delves into his rich griot heritage, weaving personal experiences with the deep traditions of Mandinka culture. Accompanied by an exceptional ensemble including Davide Mantovani, Josh Middleton, Mina Mikhael Salama, Al MacSween and others, Kadialy crafts a compelling soundscape that highlights his distinctive kora playing. Toña is a personal voyage of lullabies, heartfelt tributes to love, and powerful narratives of migration, resilience and tradition. Rooted in the Mandinka idea that history and ancestry shape identity and guide the future, Toña reflects on Kadialy Kouyate’s rich heritage as a Kouyate griot and his distinctive style of kora playing, shaped via his life history thus far. With gratitude for the past and optimism for the future, Kadialy continues to refine his artistry, weaving tradition with personal expression.
RELEASE DATE: 27th June 2025
TITLE: TOÑA
ARTIST: Kadialy Kouyate
CATALOGUE#: EUCD2977
PRICE: Full | LABEL: ARC Music
BARCODE: 5019396297722
GENRE: Senegal | AUDIO: HD
SINGLE: Kanou Foro Ka Di
‘Kanou Foro Ka Di ’ Single release and LIVE music video: Released 6th June 2025
Kanou Foro Ka Di, translating as “True Love is Beautiful”, is an upbeat, catchy song featuring Al MacSween on keyboards and Mamadou Sarr on calabash. With inviting lyrics of “Darling, where are you? Come dance with me”, it expresses positivity and love; when true love reigns, there is no place for negativity; when love is conscious and healthy, it attracts and inspires our surroundings.
PRESS AND MEDIA INFORMATION
Toña, the 9th album from Senegalese kora virtuoso Kadialy Kouyate, releases worldwide on June 27th, 2025.
Kadialy Kouyate’s Toña, meaning ‘Truth,’ explores the concept that understanding and reflecting on the past allows us to fully embrace future opportunities. Our experiences, both personal and collective, shape our beliefs, values, and decisions. By revisiting past events with honesty and introspection, we gain insight into behaviour, learn from previous mistakes, and acknowledge the lessons that brought us growth. When we take time to reflect, we can let go of what no longer serves us and carry forward what strengthens us. Contemplation allows us to make sense of the journey, fostering self-awareness and emotional intelligence—qualities that ground us in the present and guide us toward a more intentional future.
Throughout Toña, Kadialy explores various topics and events from his life so far, imbuing the songs with lived experiences and bold musical expressions of the subject at hand. As he explains,
“Toña is like the diary of my own therapy sessions. Each song is like the outcome of my own truth on a certain topic—cultural upbringing, local traditions, migration, as well as more personal themes such as love and homesickness.”
The themes throughout the album are broad, much like Kadialy’s life and musical experiences. In Kana Cumbo, we hear a tender lullaby that speaks to the inner child within us all. We learn of the griot tradition (Kibaroh), explore the concepts of trust and responsibility (Karafoh), and visit the past to live the daring dreams of escaping slavery in Kana Dah.
We celebrate love and joy with the album’s first single, the upbeat Kanou Foro Ka Di, releasing June 6th, 2025. We then shift mood with Famo Keta, as Kadialy explores the feelings of homesickness and the absence of loved ones. Musolu Barata pays respect to the hard-working women of Senegal’s past and present, and Jambo Dongo celebrates important events from Mandinka culture, such as the initiation ceremonies Kadialy himself underwent as a child.
Emotional tones shift once more as Hameh Julo tells the tragic yet resilient tale of migration across the Atlantic, as poignant, powerful lyrics show the sacrifice of such journeys, while the composition’s buoyant, hopeful melodies mirror the strength and dreams of those seeking a brighter future.
We close with Ça Ira, a message of hope and encouragement for anyone facing difficult times. It reminds us of the importance of supporting one another and offering a helping hand to those in need. As Kadialy elaborates,
“This song is a familiar story for many of us and is about encouragement to take the next step. It almost comes full circle, bringing us back to Kana Cumbo’s message to keep believing in love and share it throughout the world.”
Kadialy Kouyate’s mesmerising kora skills are deeply rooted in his ancestral lineage. Born in southern Senegal within the rich cultural tapestry of the Mandinka people, Kadialy was raised in a family of Kouyate griots and immersed in the general practices of griot tradition from an early age. One such duty is to report historical and current events via oral transmission. Poets, musicians and storytellers, griots play an essential role in the communities of Kadialy’s homeland. With Toña, Kadialy Kouyate once again brings these revered traditions to the world music scene in his own inimitable style.
1. Kana Cumbo (Don’t Cry) – 3:45
2. Kibaroh (News) – 4:42
3. Karafoh (Entrusting Yourself to Someone) – 5:03
4. Kana Dah (The Escape) – 4:24
5. Kanou Foro Ka Di (True Love is Beautiful) – 3:27
6. Famo Keta (It's Been a While) – 3:24
7. Musolu Barata (Women are Hardworking) – 3:38
8. Jamba Dongo (Dance of Leaves) – 4:24
9. Hameh Julo (Song of Ambition) – 3:07
10. Ça Ira (It’s Going to be Alright) – 4:12
MUSICIANS:
Kadialy Kouyate – kora, vocals (all tracks)
Davide Mantovani – double bass (tracks 1, 2, 8), bass guitar (3, 4, 7, 9, 10)
Mamadou Sarr – calabash (all tracks, except 1 & 2), djembe (4 & 7), sabar perccusion (10)
Abdoulaye Samb – guitar (tracks 2, 3, 7, 8, 9)
Josh Middleton – accordion (tracks 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Al MacSween – keyboard (tracks 5, 10)
Mina Mikhael Salama – oud (tracks 9, 10)
An ARC Music Production
All tracks composed and arranged by Kadialy Kouyate
Recorded in London, UK
Produced and musically directed by Kadialy Kouyate
Engineered by Davide Mantovani
Mixed and mastered by Pete Ardron
Liner notes by Sarah Wanstall
Cover design, product design and liner notes by Sarah Wanstall
℗ 2025, ARC Music Productions International Ltd. © 2025, ARC Music Productions International Ltd.
Dispatch Details
| Release Format: | Album |
| Release Type: | Digital & Physical |
| Country: | United States |
| Distributor: | Naxos |
| Record Label: | ARC Music |
| Release Title: | Toña |
