Lobi Traore was born in 1962 in Segou Bakaridiara in the province of Farako, just behind the river Niger.His father was a great Komo singer, and his uncle was a traditional violin player. Lobi’s father gave up Komo singing to become an Imam (muslim priest), for if one wishes to study Islam, it is forbidden to be a part of a secret society associated with animist traditions. Lobi started playing shakers at a young age at local weddings and his talent was immediately noticed. During his teenage years, while studying timbales, he saw another man playing an acoustic guitar and was immediately struck by its beautiful sound. He was soon spending all his time playing. Lobi is the creator of an amazingly unique mix of blues and African music. He has been living in Bamako for fifteen years and can be found playing at clubs many nights of the week. Lobi has played in many European countries, Canada, Mozambique, South Africa and all of the countries of West Africa. His music has been recognized by many blues aficionados from around the world for its gritty, powerful soul.

“We saw Lobi Traoré for the first time in one of the many dimly lit grimy night clubs of Bamako. His overdriven amp, ungrounded fuzzbox pedal and the occasional blast of feedback made for a raw electric blues soundscape distinctly African in its rhythm and phrasing. Ever since, we have wanted to capture that sound. This album was recorded live in two separate sessions. First inside the Espace Academie, a club where Lobi played regularly for about two years and the second session took place in the courtyard behind a well-known Nigerian Hotel.” - Aja Salvatore, Founder of KSK

If you love West African music - you HAVE to learn more about KSK Records.

And if you like what you hear here, then you will love our new From Timbuktu to You playlist on Rdio.