In one of my recent Na baro kè episodes, I took to the vibrant streets of Abidjan, to learn about popular music culture in Côte d'Ivoire (AKA "Ivory Coast"). I chatted with local people about the popular genres, artists, and musicians that make up the rhythm of daily life.
To help you dive into the music on your own, I've put together a list of songs from the artists mentioned by the people I interviewed. Although some music critics might question my categorizations, I've organized the list according to the genres that emerged from my conversations.
Dive into the list below, which I've arranged alphabetically by genre and artist, and let the rhythms of Côte d'Ivoire take you on a journey.
(NOTE: If you'd rather have an uninterrupted listening session, click here for my curated YouTube playlist featuring all the artists in the order they are mentioned in the original episode.)
"Cuban"
- Boncana Maïga - Marietou
- ORCHESTRE DE BOUAKE - BOUAKE [OFI = Orchestre Fraternelle Ivoirienne]
DJ / Coupé-décalé / Roukaskas
"Malian"
- Binguini Bakhaga - Touche Pas
- Djez B - Itadjadon
- Madjene fitini - "allah ya massaya"
- Nahawa Doumbia - Deli
- Oumou Sangaré - Diaraby Nene
Miscellaneous/Other
Reggae
- Ahmed Faras - Déni
- Alpha Blondy - Tere (Né Djigui Bé Tere Léyé)
- Faydal Day - Bôyôrô djan
- Lucky Dube - The Way It Is
- Tiken Jah - Sundjata
