Kabey Konate, a Burkinabe artist and singer, was born in the North-East of the Ivory Coast.

Lulled as a child by the songs of his griot mother and the music of his older brother, a great percussionist, he took his first artistic steps in dance. He became known through dance competitions, then rap shows when he was in high school.

Kabey Konate’s musical passion grew within him. In 2002, he recorded his first demo in Abidjan and then, in 2005, he joined his native country Burkina Faso to pursue his career. Welcomed by the Kienou family, a large family of musicians from Ouagadougou, he joined the Burkinabe musical scene as a percussionist alongside Madeni Kienou and his brother Dramane Konate. He accompanied Bil Aka Kora, Luis Marques and many others. He directs the musical part of the only African equestrian show, “La geste des étalons”. From festivals to festivals, he crowds national and international stages.

He continues in parallel his career as a singer with a very personal style of reggae and world music sprinkled with Mandingo sounds. In 2006, the Burkinabe public discovered his songs for the first time in the first part of Alpha Blondy’s concert. He released his first album “Douaou” in 2010, then a maxi album “Africa Elections” in 2014.

He participates in festivals, such as “Historique du mandingue” (Mali) where he opened for Tiken Jah Fakoly, “Jazz à Ouaga”, “Reggae City” or “Les Journées d’Afrique” (Canada). He performed for the first time at the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique in Montreal during its 32nd edition of 2018 and was part of a special 35th anniversary night of the Festival last July.

Surrounded by the group Farafina Roots and his experienced musicians, he will transport us, during this 36th edition, from the Mandingo country of West Africa to the Caribbean through Montreal by delivering his lyrics that are sensitive, deep, claiming and unifying.

Anga ta dron! Get up, together we will make it!