Music is Cissoko's childhood addiction

It’s common for musicians to claim that they have been singing since childhood yet their performances are lackluster. But for Cissoko Noumoucounda, 44, every strum of his kora has a touch that proves he’s been doing his thing for over four decades. The kora is a 21-string lute-bridge-harp used extensively in West Africa. Born in Dakar, Senegal, Cissoko doesn’t know when he started playing the kora. “I was raised in a family where there were musical instruments, so I can’t remember the first time I held or played a kora,” he says. His father – Banna Cissoko – was a famous kora player in Senegal. His mother, Goundo Kouyate was also a music performer Cissoko’s first international album, Faling, was released in 2011. “Faling means ‘to share’. To me, music is about sharing sentiments; love, misery, joy, etc,” explains Cissoko. The album features prominent artistes like Alpha Blondy and Positive Black Soul, among others. Cissoko has also worked with Youssou N’Dour, Boitumelo “Tumi” Molekane of South Africa, and Congo’s Fred Masamba on the song called, Toto. So does Cissoko have any other African artistes he wishes to work with? “Not anyone in particular. But if there’s anyone willing, I’m ready. Even if it’s anyone doing a Kinyarwanda song, I can fit in and do a collabo,” he says. Cissoko, who says he is a family man with “so many kids”, was in the country for the Isaano Arts festival at Petit Stade. He says he was impressed by Rwanda’s development.

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Music is Cissoko's childhood addiction