Bassekou Kouyate gets BBC 3 awards for world music in London

Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba:

• Album of the Year (’Segu Blue’) - WINNER
• Best African Act - WINNER
• Best Newcomer - NOMINEE

Watch the 2008 Nominee films online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/worldmusic/a4wm2008/index.shtml

It’s been a truly amazing journey for Mali’s new superstars ngoni virtuoso Bassekou Kouyate and his band Ngoni ba since the release of their debut album ‘Segu Blue’ in March 2007. In just over a year Bassekou Kouyate’s career has turned him from being a respected musician performing alongside artists such as the late Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabete into a World Music star in his own right.

Last week, on 10 April 2008, at the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music 2008 winners announcement ceremony held at London’s Dingwalls, Bassekou Kouyate was declared ‘Best African Act’ and made a surprise appearance to pick up the award. The other competitors being Toumani Diabate, Simphiwe Dana and Tinariwen.

‘Segu Blue’ had already been announced the winner of the ‘Album of the Year’ Critics Award in December 2007 beating strong competition by Andy Palacio’s ‘Watina’, Orchestra Baobab’s ‘Made in Dakar’ and Tinariwen’s ‘Aman Iman’. Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni ba were also nominated in the ‘Best Newcomer’ category. For more information on the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music 2008, please visit:

Bassekou Kouyate on MySpace:
www.myspace.com/bassekoukouyate