Bassekou Kouyate is a virtuoso ngoni player and a figurehead in contemporary West African music. Born in Mali in the town of Garana, which lies on the banks of the Niger River, Bassekou comes from a long historical line of griots – traditional storytellers and keepers of oral history through music. He has been credited with transforming the ngoni, a traditional Malian lute, into a lead instrument capable of energetic solos and expressive melodies that navigate a variety of musical genres.

Throughout his career, Kouyate has been a prolific artist, both in terms of his recordings and his performances. His works such as "Jama Ko," "I Speak Fula," and the more recent "Miri" showcase his innovative approach to the integration of traditional Malian sounds with blues, rock, and other global music forms. With his band Ngoni Ba, Bassekou has taken the music of Mali to a worldwide audience, gaining international acclaim for his soulful playing and his efforts to preserve and innovate within the musical traditions of his homeland. His albums often have a collaborative nature, with a blend of voices and instruments that emphasize a spirit of unity and dialogue—a theme reflective of his philosophy that music is a connecting force between people.