Djely Tapa
A Montreal griot born in Mali's Kayes region, Djely Tapa carries the djely word — the Mandinka griot tradition — into vibrant Afrofuturism: tradition, desert blues and electronics. A two-time JUNO Award winner, she sings the strength of women and the African heritage, eyes turned to the future.
Biography
Djely Tapa is a singer-songwriter born in Mali's Kayes region, in the west of the country, into an illustrious family of griots — the djely, heirs to centuries-old artistic traditions. The daughter of Kandia Kouyaté, one of Mali's greatest voices, and of Djely Bouya Diarra, a legendary dancer and singer, she is based in Montreal, where she has become one of Canada's leading world-music voices.
Her music — a Mandinka Afrofuturism — blends groove trance, Mandinka traditions, desert blues and electronic sounds. “I am heading into the future with the African heritage,” she summed up when talking about Barokan (2019, Disques Nuits d'Afrique), an album celebrating women's freedom and strength, produced with Caleb Rimtobaye (AfrotoniX) and Eli Levinson. The album won the 2020 JUNO Award for World Music Album of the Year, and she was named Radio-Canada's 2019–2020 World Music Revelation. Le Monde praised an artist determined to “carry a feminist and pan-African message.”
With Dankoroba (Disques Nuits d'Afrique / Believe, produced by Jean Massicotte), recorded between Bamako and Montreal with guests such as Adama Yalomba and Vieux Farka Touré and traditional instruments recorded in Mali, she pays tribute to the influential women of the Mandinka empire. The album won the 2025 JUNO Award for Global Music Album of the Year, at the March 30, 2025 gala in Vancouver — her second JUNO. She also received the Prix Opus Inclusion et Diversité – Montréal in 2021.
On stage, her golden voice and remarkable generosity have taken her show to major stages around the world: Sziget Festival, WOMEX — where she was an official 2022 selection —, Festival Musiques Métisses, the Montreal International Jazz Festival and Music Meeting in Nijmegen. In 2026 she performed in Toronto, at the Festival d'été de Québec, at Montreal's Nuits d'Afrique and closing the MUZ gathering at Studio TD.
On video — official clips and live performances
“Le Sais-Tu?” · Official music video
“Home” · Official music video
“Le monde est chaud” · With Tiken Jah Fakoly
Live · Music Meeting 2022, Nijmegen (Netherlands)
Live · Music Meeting Festival 2022
Official clips and concerts, and much more on her YouTube channel and her official website.
Milestones
2020 JUNO — Barokan, World Music Album of the Year · Radio-Canada World Music Revelation 2019–2020 · Prix Opus Inclusion et Diversité – Montréal 2021 · Official WOMEX 2022 selection · 2025 JUNO — Dankoroba, Global Music Album of the Year · Stages: Sziget, WOMEX, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival d'été de Québec, Nuits d'Afrique.
Show formats
- Live concert with her band, the DjelyGroove
- Festival showcase
- World and global music stages
- Cultural concerts and celebrations
Pro Kit & contact
Booking — Canada & the Americas: Agence Impresaria · Booking — Europe: Jaspir Prod.