Vocalist, dancer, and percussionist Dobet Gnahore has been hailed
Africa's leading star on the rise, compared to genre legends and
cultural ambassadors like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masakela by her
mid-twenties. Brought up in a musical and artistic hot-house
environment, Gnahore's musical talent comes as no surprise. Her
father, Boni Gnahore, a drummer, vocalist, and performer renown
across the Ivory Coast, was a founding member of the artist colony
Village Ki-Yi M'Bock, a community of more than 50 artists from
multiple disciplines and backgrounds. Her first artistic turning
point came when Gnahore was 12 and announced to her father that she
wasn't going to school anymore, but rather staying at the colony to
learn. After years of apprenticeship with some of the continent's
most proficient artists, Gnahore came upon a second turning point.
French guitarist Colin Laroche de Feline came to the village, his
intended three-day visit turning into a three-year residency.
Gnahore's and Laroche de Feline's professional and personal lives
became woven together, creating a duo called Ano Neko. They spent
significant time in both Africa and France (depending on the
African political climate) touring and performing. The group's
self-titled debut was released in 2004 to enthusiastic critical
acclaim. Two years later Ano Neko was invited to join the Putumayo
Acoustic Africa tour, which traveled all over Europe and North
America. Gnahore and Laroche de Feline won fans and impressed
audiences, performing alongside musical greats Vusi Mahlasela and
Habib Koité. Soon to follow was Gnahore's sophomore release, Na
Afriki, which, thanks to her ever expanding fan base, appeared on
world music charts immediately following its release. Laroche de
Feline and Gnahore maintain a busy performance schedule while
living with their daughter in the French countryside. Gnahore's
comfort in a wide array of African musical styles has earned her a
reputation as prodigy and talent that will one day help chart the
course for the genre. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez
Vocalist, dancer, and percussionist Dobet Gnahore has been hailed
Africa's leading star on the rise, compared to genre legends and
cultural ambassadors like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masakela by her
mid-twenties. Brought up in a musical and artistic hot-house
environment, Gnahore's musical talent comes as no surprise. Her
father, Boni Gnahore, a drummer, vocalist, and performer renown
across the Ivory Coast, was a founding member of the artist colony
Village Ki-Yi M'Bock, a community of more than 50 artists from
multiple disciplines and backgrounds. Her first artistic turning
point came when Gnahore was 12 and announced to her father that she
wasn't going to school anymore, but rather staying at the colony to
learn. After years of apprenticeship with some of the continent's
most proficient artists, Gnahore came upon a second turning point.
French guitarist Colin Laroche de Feline came to the village, his
intended three-day visit turning into a three-year residency.
Gnahore's and Laroche de Feline's professional and personal lives
became woven together, creating a duo called Ano Neko. They spent
significant time in both Africa and France (depending on the
African political climate) touring and performing. The group's
self-titled debut was released in 2004 to enthusiastic critical
acclaim. Two years later Ano Neko was invited to join the Putumayo
Acoustic Africa tour, which traveled all over Europe and North
America. Gnahore and Laroche de Feline won fans and impressed
audiences, performing alongside musical greats Vusi Mahlasela and
Habib Koité. Soon to follow was Gnahore's sophomore release, Na
Afriki, which, thanks to her ever expanding fan base, appeared on
world music charts immediately following its release. Laroche de
Feline and Gnahore maintain a busy performance schedule while
living with their daughter in the French countryside. Gnahore's
comfort in a wide array of African musical styles has earned her a
reputation as prodigy and talent that will one day help chart the
course for the genre. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez 
