Dobet Gnahoré is a singer, dancer and percussionist from Côte d’Ivoire. She grows out of the Bété musical tradition through her father, Boni Gnahoré, a master percussionist who performs with the Abidjan-based Ki-Yi Mbock Company, directed by Werewere Liking. Her work also reflects the wider Pan-African approach associated with that company.

Early work and collaborations

Gnahoré meets French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline through the Ki-Yi Mbock Company in Côte d’Ivoire. After time with the Tché Tché dance company, she and Laroche de Féline form the duo Ano Neko in 1999; the name means “Let’s create together” in the Bété language. The duo tours widely in France between 1999 and 2000, where they settle temporarily.

She also works with Ba Cissoko on the creation of Le Cabaret Nomade and L’Entre Deux Monde. When she and Laroche de Féline return to Abidjan in 2001, they take part in the MASA Off festival and record eight songs there under the supervision of the late Marcellin Yacé.

Ano Neko

In 2003, the project shifts to focus on Gnahoré, and expands to include a backing vocalist and a percussionist. This leads to her first album, Ano Neko. The album combines material recorded in Abidjan and in Belgium during the summer of 2003. Its music ranges across styles including Mandingue melodies, Congolese rumba, Ziglibiti from Côte d’Ivoire, Bikoutsi from Cameroon, Ghanaian High-Life and Zulu choir traditions, alongside jazz-influenced elements.

Style and languages

Her performances feature instruments including the sanza, balafon, calabash and bongos, supporting guitar, backing vocals and her own voice. She sings in several African languages, including Bété, Fon, Baoule, Lingala, Malinke, Mina and Bambara.