10 visionary alternative West African artists selected by Asna

Music

Asna is part of a new wave of West African artists who are putting a spin on the traditional sounds of their homes.

Based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, she’s works across many disciplines. Dubbing herself a “sound explorer”, her talents lie not just in DJing and production, but also in visual arts and modelling. She’s also an advocate for the new generation of musicians around her. In Abidjan she’s affiliated with one of the city’s biggest parties and collectives La Sunday, as well as being part of Bôrô D’ENJAILLEMENT, a project created with Ivorian Artist African Diplomate, which is a space for young multi-disciplinary artists.

A meeting of old and new, her DJ sets navigate classic songs from across Africa as well as fresh and forward-thinking sounds rooted in rhythm and bass, from gqom to kuduro and percussive workouts.

It’s on the third instalment of Lyon’s Blanc Manioc compilation series that she sits alongside many African artists who, like her, are pushing musical boundaries and approaching music with a sense of freedom and innovation. Below she highlights some of these contemporaries who are part of the thriving alternative scenes across the region…

Nyamakala Beats n°3 is out now on Blanc Manioc.

Topics

Abidjan Asna Blanc Manioc

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Inga Paula

Inga Paula is a multidisciplinary artist born in Abidjan, and raised on the East Coast of the United States. Her musical and visual influences pull from the mosaic of cultures she’s been exposed to, from trips off the south coast of Spain to the shores of Senegal and beyond. Ali Farka Toure, Frank Ocean, Wiki / Ratking, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald and the likes permeate through her music and literary repertoires. Inga seeks to create worlds that will supersede reality (sonically, emotionally and visually), in the hopes of unlocking undisclosed dimensions to her following.

Inga Paula

Inga Paula is a multidisciplinary artist born in Abidjan, and raised on the East Coast of the United States. Her musical and visual influences pull from the mosaic of cultures she’s been exposed to, from trips off the south coast of Spain to the shores of Senegal and beyond. Ali Farka Toure, Frank Ocean, Wiki / Ratking, Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald and the likes permeate through her music and literary repertoires. Inga seeks to create worlds that will supersede reality (sonically, emotionally and visually), in the hopes of unlocking undisclosed dimensions to her following.
Ibrahim Keita

Founder of the label and project Les Autres, Ibrahim is a visionary who through his music explore multiple styles with a unique approach.
African Diplomat

Born and raised in Abidjan, most known under the guise of African Diplomat, Kouame Cedric is a multimedia artist, Dj producer and record collector living between Abidjan and Brussels. From 90s tradi -modern Ivorian songs to 70s Ghanain highlife, Cedric approaches music as an art form, where he is trying to find diplomatic ways to blend the crisp sound of his records collection to a very eclectic range of music – from ambient to Lofi hip-hop.
Famas

Famas, (Hacim Hassane Olivier Coulibaly), is a young Ivorian rapper and producer. His lyrics are a mix between Djoula (local Ivorian dialect) and French which reflects his very hybrid and visionary universe.
Tripa Gninnin

Tripa is the figure of Ivorian underground rap culture. His music is inspired by the street and the Noushi (Ivorian slang).
DJ Diaki

DJ Diaki is Diaki Kone, Balani Show DJ, and radio animator in Sanakoroba, Mali. One of the originators of Balani Show sound system sound, DJ Diaki plays in the style of Balani mix with high energy balafon samples, crashing drums, and live remixes that he calls Balani Fou (Crazy Balani).
DJ Katapila

DJ Katapila makes Ga traditional music using electronic sounds, instead of live percussion, to create his own kind of (what he calls) house music.
Sensei Lo

Sensei lo is a Nigerian DJ and producer. Her universe is about Afro Futurist, Afro Electronic and Dance Music.
Mc Waraba

Mc Waraba is a singer and Mc from Mali. His style is a mix between malian traditional music and electronic music.
Pierre Kwenders

Born in Kinshasa and settled in Montréal since 2001, Pierre Kwenders learned music and found his voice in a catholic choir in the city. Passionate about offering music without borders, he’s also one of the founders of Moonshine, a collective that throws some of the best parties around the world.