Lido Pimienta performs an eclectic mix of music, a modern take on Afro-Columbian tradition. She uses electronic music mixed with chanting, artistic vocals, and improvisation to create her sound. Her album, ‘La Papessa’, won Pimienta the Polaris Music Prize. The Globe and Mail has called Pimienta “the artist of the year.” Pimienta is also an advocate for gender, race, motherhood,... read full bio
The song "People" by singer/songwriter Libianca is one of those rare TikTok songs that deserves more than just a popular dance move. When she shared a self-shot video of herself performing a stripped-down version of her most recent track in what appeared to be a Colours session, the internet reacted as it usually does: The global success brought her a... read full bio
Les Ttes Brules first rose to prominence in the 1980s, and quickly became the most well-known bikutsi band, at home and abroad. The band was formed by Jean-Marie Ahanda, and included the guitarist Zanzibar, who remains well-known for innovative attachment of foam rubber to the bridge of his guitar, which made the instrument sound like a traditional balafon. Zanzibar's death... read full bio
Les Amazones d'Afrique is a creative force that welcomes diverse viewpoints, powerful harmonies that call attention to the rights of women and girls, and a collision of old-school talent and up-and-coming artists. Mamani Keta, Oumou Sangaré and Mariam Doumbia, three well-known Malian musicians and social activists, founded the collective in Bamako, Mali. Since then, the collective has grown to include several female... read full bio
Leningrad is a highly popular and somewhat controversial Russian ska, pop, and Russian chanson ban (that is also known as Gruppirovka Leningrad and Bandformirovanie Leningrad). They hail from Saint Petersburg and the band consists of a whopping 14 different members: Sergei "Shnur" Shnurov, Aleksandr "Puzo" Popov , Andrey "Antonych" Antonenko , Grigoriy "Zontik" Zontov , Roman "Shukher" Parygin , Andrey... read full bio
Lee "Scratch" Perry is one of the most lasting and innovative reggae producers and musicians of all time and he is revered throughout the music industry. Perry's inventive manner distinguishes him as one of reggae's original gems, from his early days as a vocalist and engineer for Coxsone Dodd's Studio One in Kingston to his production of the groundbreaking Wailers... read full bio
Brilliant musicians, electrifying performers, unconstrained visionaries and all-around kind guys...It is no surprise that Lau is recognized as the center of the modern folk boom. And they have the accolades, enthusiastic reviews and frenzied ovations from enthused crowds in various parts of the world to back them up. Their shelves are groaning under the weight of them. Together, the members of Lau—Kris Drever... read full bio
Lartiste is a Moroccan hip-hop artist, who was formerly a member of the rap group Malediction. Of his four albums- Lalbum, Fenomeno, Maestro and Clandestino- his most recent three topped the French charts. Lartiste has released fourteen hit singles, all charting in France, with Chocolat featuring Awa Imani most notably peaking at No. 3. His other most popular hits include:... read full bio
Ladysmith Black Mambazo is an all male acapella singing group that originated from South Africa. Joseph Shabalala founded the group because he had a chain of dreams that heard harmonies of traditional Zulu music. Performing for over 50 years, the group has cut over 30 albums during their music career, but never gained success outside of South Africa. Then, Paul... read full bio
Bob Marley's son, Ky-mani Marley, carries the torch of his father with Many More Roads, an album of well crafted, beautifully written and deeply personal songs performed with fiery passion. Many More Roads takes the listener on a journey through Ky-mani's joy, heartbreak and political point of view, and displays his diverse musical talent. Though centered in the classic reggae... read full bio
Kranium is a reggae and dancehall singer from Jamaica. Kranium first started his career as a dancehall singer when his uncle, a star known as Screwdriver, took Kranium under his wing. Pursuing a solo career, Kranium’s song, ‘Nobody Has to Know’, launched him into fame in the United States. The song sold more than 40,000 copies and peaked at number... read full bio
Kondi Band is composed of two individuals, Sorie Kondi and Boima Tucker. The two joined together to form the band to perform a fusion of electronic and traditional Sierra Leone music. This collaboration rejuvenates Africans sounds, twisting them into an eclectic, upbeat, new age form of music. Kondi Band was mentioned by Rolling Stone in their 10 Artists You Need... read full bio
Kollegah is a German rapper, signed to his own hip-hop label Alpha Music Empire. His first album, Alphagene, rose to No. 51 on the German album charts. Jung, brutal, gutaussehend 2, a collaboration with fellow rapper Farid Bang, achieved Gold certification in Germany. Within the very first day of its release, Kollegah’s fourth album King reached Gold status in Germany,... read full bio
Sheila Maurice-Grey, a composer and trumpet player, is the leader of the London-based octet KOKOROKO. They blend modern jazz-funk, afrobeat, spiritual soul and West African highlife in their music. When they first appeared on the London music scene as teenagers, they provided a dynamic, polyrhythmic live sound that included passionate interaction between soulful horns, thunderous percussion, thick guitars, thrumming basses, jagged... read full bio
Kod is a professional taiko drumming troupe. The main focus of the performance is traditional dance and vocal performance. Kodo's performances include pieces based on the traditional rhythms of contemporary songwriters, and pieces written by Kodo members themselves. Kodo has had almost 4,000 performances, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third... read full bio
KIOKO is a hard-hitting reggae band from Birmingham, UK that is renowned for its contagious rhythms and thrilling live shows. The band takes pleasure in the fact that their music is politically and sociologically relevant to today's rapidly changing society. They are greatly influenced by Jamaican and Caribbean music as well as the music of their multicultural ancestry. KIOKO has established their status... read full bio
Kid Creole and the Coconuts’ music incorporates a variety of styles and influences, in particular American and Latin American, South American, Caribbean, Trinidadian, and Calloway. Winners of the Brit Award for Best International Artist, the musical group is conceptually inspired by the big band era. The Coconuts are a glamorous trio of female backing vocalists whose lineup has changed throughout... read full bio
Keznamdi is a reggae singer-songwriter and musician who is from Kingston, Jamaica. While growing up, Keznamdi’s parents were lead singers of the reggae band, Chakula, so Keznamdi always felt he was destined for a musical career as well. Keznamdi began performing himself at a young age and recorded his first song, “Mix a Color,” when he was only five years... read full bio
Keziah Jones' emotional lyrics coupled with his smooth guitar techniques produce one of the most talented artists of our time period. He is a Nigerian singer songwriter and very talented musician who plays blues, funk, Yoruba music, and soul. His is well known for his very distinctive style of playing the guitar, in which he uses his right hand to... read full bio
One of the real melting pots of the world is Trinidad and Tobago, an island nation whose people have innovated in music, art, food and good times by drawing on their African, Asian, Latin, European and American ancestry. Among the several musical groups residing in this twin-island country, none better exemplify this blend than Kes (also known as KES THE BAND), the diverse... read full bio
