“Ko-Yan” by Salif Keita and Paul “Groucho” Smylke is the title track off of the album Ko-Yan and is considered to be afro-pop, funk, soca, and soul. Keita, an artist from Mali, wrote the lyrics and the song, while Smylke is the featured artist on the track who contributed the caribbean and soca musical influences. I chose this song because the synthesizers, use of horns, and rhythmic gestures caught my interest. The first genre I thought of when I heard this song was funk, which is evident in the horn lines and some of the rhythms. The rich harmonies of the group vocals and complex vocal lines also caught my attention.
It’s important to note that the lyrics of the song are in the Maninka or Malinké language, which is the official language of Mali. As an artist, Salif Keita aims to blend Western music influences with Mande music traditions, which can be heard throughout the Ko-Yan album. Additionally, Keita’s use of dense rhythmic layers is one of my favorite aspects of the album.
Here is the link! Enjoy!
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