It’s a voice that soars – pure, clear and true — above bass and synths, traditional percussion and infectious Mande guitar grooves. A stop-you-in-your-tracks voice instantly familiar to anyone in Mali, West Africa: Rokia Koné, aka the Rose of Bamako.

One of Mali’s most beloved and dynamic artists, Koné is a force to be reckoned with. Her captivating performances in the city’s local maquis clubs very often last for hours, as Koné runs the gamut of emotion from joy to despair, fury to tenderness, wielding that astounding voice with grace and power.

The young Rokia headed to Bamako, becoming a backing singer for Alia Coulibaly, one of Mali’s biggest stars, then quickly earned top billing as a solo artist in her own right.
In 2016 she caught the attention of Valérie Malot, founder of renowned French booking agency 3D Family, who invited her to join feminist supergroup Les Amazones d’Afrique and make her debut on an international stage.

Rokia Koné’s distinctive voice is instantly recognizable in Mali, well beyond her home town of Bamako where she has captivated audiences for years in the city’s local maquis clubs with her lengthy performances. In BAMANAN, Konés debut solo album set for release this February, the great ancient sounds of Mali and the modern soundscape of its capital Bamako beautifully converge. Filtered through Irish-born rock producer Jacknife Lee’s California studio, the results are a delight for the ears. Don’t miss the chance of experiencing one of Mali’s greatest singers at ALICE this May.

ALICE at Stairway
While the concert hall at Nørre Allé 7 is getting a new ventilation system, ALICE is moving into the music venue Stairway in Vanløse on January 1st 2023.