Toure Kunda

Formed in 1977, Touré Kunda is a Senegalese band who helped usher in the popularization of African music in France. The group was founded by half-brothers Ismaïla and Sixu Tidiane Touré, who were both born twenty-two days apart in 1950 in Ziguinchor, Casamance. Introduced to music through their older brother Amadou Tilo Touré, who was a singer and musician. In 1973, Ismaïla traveled to Europe to study music and eventually settled in Paris, France two years later. Sixu Tidiane moved to Paris in 1977 and they began to integrate themselves into the Parisian music scene. They took part in the Africa Fête music festival before a month-long residency to sell-out crowds at the Théâtre Dunois. Their first album, Ismaïla Do Sixux, was released in 1979. That same year, their older brother Amadou joined the duo in Paris, and they became Touré Kunda and signed to Celluloïd Records. Their first album, É’mma Africa, was released in 1980 and was a critical success. They followed that release with Touré Kunda (1981), which was another critical and commercial success. During a concert on January 25, 1983, Amadou Touré died of cardiac arrest. The remaining members of Touré Kunda paid tribute to their fallen brother by gathering other African artists together to record the album Amadou Tilo (1983). Touré Kunda’s 1984 concert recording, Live Paris – Ziguinchor, was a huge commercial success and became the biggest selling African music release up to that point. After touring Africa, the group’s international success culminated with the Bill Laswell-produced album Natalia (1985). The group then singed signed with Tréma Records and released Toubab Bi (1986), Salam (1990), Sounké - In Concert (1991) and Sili Béto (1992). In 1999, Touré Kunda appeared on Carlos Santana’s successful Supernatural album and toured with him. That same year, they released the compilation Légende, which celebrated their 20 years as a group. Touré Kunda continued to release a series of albums including Terra Saabi (2000), Santhiaba (2008) and Lambi Golo (2018). Ismaïla Touré died on February 27, 2023, at the age of 73.