Rokia Traoré: The Malian Singer Showcases 'Beautiful Africa'

It's impossible not to be transported by Rokia Traoré's voice and unique adaptation of rock. The daughter of a diplomat, Traore spent her childhood traveling to Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, and France, and her travels exposed her to jazz, classical, Indian music and rock. Those early transformative experiences especially translate into her newest release, 2013's Beautiful Africa. Produced by John Parish (Sparklehorse, PJ Harvey), the guitarist and singer considers this album specifically as rock, with a twist of Malian influence that can be seen in her use of traditional instruments. In addition, Traoré performs primarily in Bambara, a major Malian language, and in French.

Traoré recently collaborated with playwright and novelist Toni Morrison and theater director Peter Sellars on the stage project Desdemona -- an adaption of Shakespeare's Othello that recently played at London's Barbican, in Vienna and at Lincoln Center. She's also worked with musicians like Robert Wyatt, Big Joe Williams and Ali Farka Toure.

Beyond the deep and empowering sound and feel of her music, Traoré's songwriting presses on difficult questions. Many of her songs touch on the unrest and chaos of her home in Mali. In the title track "Beautiful Africa," she sings, "Battered, wounded Africa / Why do you keep [playing] the role of the beautiful naive deceived? Yet my faith does not know failure / I love you, beautiful Africa."

Set List: 

• "Sikey"
• "Kamounke"
• "Samara"