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It's impossible not to be transported by Rokia Traoré's voice and unique adaptation of rock. The daughter of a diplomat, Traoré spent her childhood traveling to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and France, and her travels exposed her to jazz, classical, Indian music and rock. Those early transformative experiences especially translated into her 2013 release, Beautiful Africa. Produced by John Parish (Sparklehorse, PJ Harvey), the guitarist and singer considers this album specifically as rock, with a twist of Malian influence that can be seen in her use of traditional instruments. In addition, Traoré performs primarily in Bambara, a major Malian language, and in French. 

Beyond the deep and empowering sound and feel of her music, Traoré's songwriting presses on difficult questions. Many of her songs touch on the unrest and chaos of her home in Mali. In the title track "Beautiful Africa," she sings, "Battered, wounded Africa / Why do you keep [playing] the role of the beautiful naive deceived? Yet my faith does not know failure / I love you, beautiful Africa." Rokia Traoré plays in-studio in this 2014 session from the Archives.

Set List: 

• "Sikey"
• "Kamounke"
• "Samara"