Neba Solo

Neba Solo, born Souleymane Traoré in 1969 in the village of Nebadougou near Sikasso, Mali, is a balafon wizard from the Senufo tradition who's often called the "genius of the balafon." He picked up the marimba-like instrument from his musician dad, learned to build them too, and soon formed a band with his brother Siaka on lead balafon while he rocked a custom bass version with extra keys—inspired by reggae vibes he dug as a teen. Kicking off with regional hits like "Hommage à Lamissa Bengaly" in the mid-'90s, he snagged Mali's artist of the year award in 1996 and blew up nationally with tracks from *Kenedougou Foly*, plus that catchy "CAN 2002" soccer anthem.

The guy's a trailblazer, blending farmer's music with fresh twists, touring Europe and North America, teaming up with folks like French DJ Frédéric Galliano and even Damon Albarn, and getting knighted by Mali in 2002. Fresh off collabs like the 2026 release *A Djinn and a Hunter Went Walking* with donso n’goni master Benego Diakité (on Nonesuch), and recent singles "Seko," "Djinê Mogo Tiki," and *Tuma Duma*, Neba keeps pushing Senufo rhythms worldwide while staying true to his roots.

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