DESCRIPTION:
Amkoullel

Issiaka Bâ, is one of the most talented and 'conscious' Malian rappers of his generation
His stage name is taken from a novel by one of Mali's most noted authors/historian/philosopher - Hamadou Hampaté Bâ - in order to pay homage to all African cultures. Actually Amkoullel was the nickname of his direct illustrious ascendant, from which he has also inherited the will and ability to harmoniously combine traditional and contemporary global cultures and to promote individual and social responsibility. As the leader of Hip Hop in Mali, Amkoullel is committed to keep this movement positive and respectful of traditional oral culture.

Amkoullel started working seriously on his rap when his first radio experience at the age of 13 was banned by the authorities. A year later he was organising his first rap concert with his scholarship money. He left for France to study Law (paying himself for his studies in doing the worse night jobs) and released a first album—Infaculté—loaded with texts against ignorance. In entering the exam room, he realized his life would be torn apart between the arts and the law and it was obvious he would rather be the voice of the voiceless on stage rather than in court.

He released a second album Surafin ('Bribe') and toured extensively with Cheikh Tidiane Seck. He also appeared alongside Manu Dibango, Keziah Jones, Rokia Traoré and has notably supported Alpha Blondy, Lobi Traoré and Tiken Jah Fakoly. In 2007 he was offered to go back home and co-run Mali K7, Ali Farka Toure's record company. He then created his own label Woklo Barka Productions to produce his third album Waati Sera ('It's Time !') that proved to be both a militant opus against Africans' disdainful self-image and a harmonious musical blend of traditional African instruments and contemporary popular musical genres.

In 2010 he released Mon Mali!! an album that was not only an invitation to discover Africa through the eyes of Amkoullel, but also a call into question the notions of 'the other'. Rapping and flowing in French and Bambara, Amkoullel touched on vital social issues such as education and African unity. Accompanied by Didier Awadi, one of African Hip-hop's fathers, and an illustrious compatriot Xuman, Amkoullel presents other regional well-known performers ; as French spoken word artists RIM and CANDIIE put it in the album introduction: 'Nothing is black nor white, there are always loads of colors in between'.

Amkoullel is now touring with his own band mixing traditional and contemporary instruments, known as the first Malian hip hop live band including also two dancers. He founded the first Hip Hop school, the Farafina Club, and the Mali Hip Hop Association which brings together artists, media and professionals. Amkoullel also is the host of Case Sanga, a heavily viewed Malian variety show, like America's "American Idol", which brings forth new talent and is gaining in popularity in francophone Africa.




AMKOULLEL, l'enfant Peulh

Son nom d'artiste Amkoullel, l'enfant peulh, est tiré du titre d'un roman d'un des plus grands écrivains maliens, Amadou Hampaté Bâ. Le rappeur choisit donc ce nom de manière consciente, pour rendre hommage à toutes les cultures africaines.

Ne ka Mali ! !

Le nouvel album world de l'enfant peulh allie maturité et diversité... Sa richesse musicale en fait l'album le plus ouvert et mature du hip hop malien.

Avec son quatrième album, Ne ka Mali ! !, Amkoullel offre une vision large de ses univers musicaux : de nouvelles sonorités hip hop mêlées aux instruments qui font la renommée musicale du Mali, le taama, le n'goni, les percussions ; du ragga au kuduro, du slam au jazz, cet album traverse les styles. Ne ka Mali ! ! n'est pas seulement une invitation à découvrir le Mali, l'Afrique, vécus par Amkoullel mais également un appel à se questionner sur les notions de l'autre. Lorsqu'il aborde, en français et en bambara, des questions comme l'éducation, l'unité africaine, il s'impose comme chroniqueur de son époque. Entouré de l'un des pères du Hip Hop Africain, leader du mouvement Sénégalais, Didier Awadi et d'un de ses illustres compatriote Xuman sur le titre Mali‐Sénégal, Amkoullel présente d'autres featurings avec la crème du Hip Hop Malien : Les Tata Pound,Lassy King Massassy, Fanga Fing, Master Soumy.... Comme le déclament RIM et CANDIIE, les deux slameuses qui ouvrent ce nouvel album ;

Tout n'est pas tout blanc ou tout noir, il y a toujours plein de couleurs transitoires...

PARCOURS D'UN RAPPEUR ADULE A BAMAKO