Djelikaba Bintou Kouyaté is a rising star of Guinean and West African music. This talented singer, composer and author quickly conquered the crowd thanks to her unique style merging gritty traditions and modern sounds such as zouk and afrobeat. Daughter of a prestigious line of griots, Djelikaba has honoured her rich cultural heritage while bringing her innovative personal touch.
With her powerful voice, captivating stage presence and intimate lyrics filled with emotions, she has risen to the rank of a new musical icon in Guinea and beyond borders, winning numerous awards including two awards at the Victoires de la Musique Guinéenne and the title of Revelation of the Year at the AFRIMA. Incarnation of the African musical renewal, Djelikaba Bintou is already a reference at only 24 years old.
Introduction
Djelikaba Bintou Kouyaté, whose real name is "Bintou Kuyaté", is a rising star of Guinean music. This talented singer, composer and writer has found a way to success thanks to her enchanting voice and unique style combining tradition and modernity. Daughter of a well-known Grif family, Djelikaba was able to honour her legacy while bringing her own innovative touch, captivating crowds both in Guinea and internationally.
Childhood and Education
Born in Fria, Lower Guinea, Djelikaba Bintou has been immersed in music from an early age. Originating from a line of prestigious griots, she accompanied her parents from childhood at wedding and baptism ceremonies, thus becoming familiar with the art of singing and performing. This early immersion in the musical universe shapes his passion and sharpens his natural talent.
Musical career
It was in 2016 that Djelikaba Bintou made his real professional debut. Signed by her husband Mamady Kamissoko, alias Azaya, under the label Musik 100 Frontières, she released her debut album "M'ma affaire Mara" in 2017. This revolutionary record, skillfully mixing Guinea tradition with modern influences such as zouk and afrobeat, propelled it to the forefront of the national music scene.
Success is quickly on the appointment for the young artist. His second album, "Love Story", released in 2019, confirms his talent and ability to convey deep emotions through his intimate lyrics. Thanks to these two acclaimed opus and a plethora of successful singles, Djelikaba Bintou is a must-see figure, performing in the biggest awards ceremonies such as the Afrima or the Victoires de la Musique Guinéenne. His concerts, truly emotional, have been performing in Guinea in the last five years, testifying to the attachment of the audience to its unique musical universe.
Discograpy
Albums
- 2017 : M'ma affaire Mara
- 2019 : Love Story
- 2023 : EP Diva (Keyzit)
Singles
- "La Patronne"
- "BB-LÀ" (feat. Azaya)
- "Love Douman" (feat. Azaya)
- "Oser" (feat. Azaya)
Collaborations
Djelikaba Bintou has collaborated with many renowned artists, including her husband Azaya on several successful titles. She also shared the stage with her sister-in-law Ibro Gnamet Diabaté during a concert in Laval in France in 2019.
Tours
A true star in Guinea, Djelikaba Bintou regularly walks the roads of his country to perform in the largest halls and festivals, offering memorable shows to his fans.
But his talent does not stop at the borders of Guinea. Since the release of his album "Love Story", Djelikaba has begun a fuller rise on the international stage:
- 2019 : Concert in Laval (France) with Ibro Gnamet Diabaté
- 2021 : Broadcasting her title "La Patronne" as "Coup de Coeur" on France 24 on the occasion of the International Day of Women's Rights
- 2 July 2021: Concert at Ouezzin Coulibaly Stadium in Bamako (Mali) with Azaya
- 23 and 24 May 2021: Concerts in Liberia (Ministerial Complex and Byc Sports Pitch) with Azaya
- 6 May 2022: Concert at the Culture Palace of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) with Azaya
Awards and Recognition
The undeniable talent of Djelikaba Bintou has not gone unnoticed among the most prestigious musical instances:
- 2021 : Two awards at the Guinean Music Victories (Best Female Artist of the Year and Best Song of the year for "La Patronne")
- 2021 : Revelation of the Year Award at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) in Lagos, Nigeria
- 2021 : Best West African Female Artist Award at AFRIMA
- 2021 : Award for Best Song of the Year for "La Patronne" at the Guinean Music Victories
- 2021 : Designated Ambassador of African Music to Mali
- 2023 : Selected in the category "Best Female Artist of West Africa" at Primud
Private life
On 26 May 2019, Djelikaba Bintou was celebrating their marriage with the artist Azaya in their hometown of Fria in the tradition of the month of Ramadan. The couple definitively sealed their union on October 19, 2019 during a civil marriage in Conakry.
If their love story makes a dream, the marriage of Azaya and Djelikaba has not been exempt from controversy. After their religious wedding in Fria, Azaya announced that the civil ceremony would be paid, provoking a real riot on social networks and riots within the music administration itself, which threatened to ban the event.
Despite the difficulties, the couple now form a united and prosperous family. However, their journey has been plagued by tragedies, such as the crushing loss of their daughter at birth in July 2020, immense pain that they have been able to go through with strength and resilience. In July 2023, Djelikaba's biological father, former singer of Fria's Sombory Jazz Orchestra, was killed after a long illness.
Conclusion
À travers ses épreuves et ses succès, Djelikaba Bintou Kouyaté s'est imposée comme une artiste d'exception, ambassadrice d'une musique guinéenne résolument moderne tout en restant ancrée dans les racines. Son parcours exemplaire, jalonné de distinctions majeures et de performances scéniques époustouflantes, force le respect et l'admiration.
Avec son style unique mariant tradition et modernité, sa voix puissante et sa présence scénique captivante, Djelikaba incarne à merveille le renouveau de la musique africaine. Son aura grandissante et son dévouement indéfectible à son art laissent présager d'autres sommets à conquérir pour cette étoile montante.
Bien que jeune dans la profession, Djelikaba Bintou a déjà réussi à inscrire son nom au firmament des grandes voix féminines de la musique guinéenne et ouest-africaine. Chacune de ses prestations transporte le public dans un univers musical riche en émotions, où se mêlent savamment héritage culturel et sonorités actuelles. C'est cette fusion réussie des époques et des genres qui fait de Djelikaba Bintou une artiste à part entière, détentrice d'un son unique et reconnaissable entre tous.
Nul doute que l'avenir réserve encore de belles choses à cette touche-à-tout de talent, qui cumule déjà les casquettes de chanteuse, compositrice et auteure avec brio. Son ascension fulgurante n'est que le début d'un parcours prometteur, où chaque nouvelle étape confirme un peu plus son statut de nouvelle référence musicale en Guinée et en Afrique de l'Ouest. Djelikaba Bintou Kouyaté a définitivement tout d'une grande.
