Kananayé by Kanazoe, Clotilde Rullaud, Abdoulaye Traore, Boubacar Djiga, Achille Nacoulma

It all starts in Bobo-Dioulasso in 2019 at the Badara festival. It’s the first time singer-flutist Clotilde Rullaud hits Burkina Faso, and she clicks instantly with drummer Achille Nacoulma and guitarist Abdoulaye Traore, luminaries of the Burkinabè music scene. Kanazoe hops in on the balafon, and Boubacar Djiga joins on the kunde, completing the crew.
They cook up some magic in the warmth of Bobo’s studios, blending slam, songs in French, Dioula, More, and English, riding the improvisational wave, all while staying true to the traditional beats of West Africa. Kananayé’s sound travels from Paris to Bobo, spinning tales of today’s life, dipping into blues, and flirting with Afro-American vibes. It’s a real fusion, driven by their tight bond and the sheer joy of making music together.
As they say on Bobo’s streets, “Kananayé,” it’s not all smooth sailing, but they’ll figure it out!

Seydou “Kanazoe” Diabate: balafon, percussions, vocals, composition

Boubacar Djiga : kunde, percussions, composition

Achille Nacoulma: drums, percussions, vocals, composition

Clotilde Rullaud: vocals, flute, composition

Abdoulaye “Debademba” Traore: guitars, composition

Production: Tzig’Art

Co-production: Africolor, Musiques au Comptoir

With the support of: DRAC IDF Conventionnement 2023-2024 l Ministère de la Culture, CNM, ADAMI, SACEM, Institut Français de Bobo-Dioulasso, Institut Français de Ouagadougou

Photo Credits : Jacob Bonkian, Maxim Francois