SONA JOBARTEH

SONA JOBARTEH

“is Africa’s first female griot kora virtuoso, and also a fine singer and composer, blending traditional music, blues, and Afropop to impressive effect,” Robin Denselow

While preserving her musical heritage, Sona Jobarteh innovates to help build a more humanitarian future.

The spirit of Sona Jobarteh’s musical work stands on the mighty shoulders of the West African griot tradition; she is a living archive of the Gambian people. With one ear attuned to her family’s historic reputation, the other to the all-important future legacy, and her heart in both places, she is paving the way today for the next generation.

Her singing and kora playing as the frontwoman of her band spring directly from this tradition. The extent of her recognition today is evidenced by more than 10 million views on YouTube and substantial numbers on other digital platforms. All this despite singing in her native languages and forging her own path within the music industry.

Sona single-handedly founded The Gambia Academy, a pioneering institution dedicated to advancing educational reform across the African continent. This Academy is the first of its kind to deliver a high-level mainstream academic curriculum while also placing the culture, traditions, and history of its students at the forefront of their daily education.

These efforts have earned her invitations to deliver speeches at high-profile events around the world—including summits for the UN, the World Trade Organization, and UNICEF.