Kiné Lam

Kine Lam crafts an exhilarating style by fusing Senegal's mbalax tradition with elements drawn from rock, jazz, and reggae. Her powerful singing voice rides atop the rhythmic drive supplied by a brass-heavy ensemble, conveying the allure and grace inherent to her homeland. The Beat characterized her 1996 American debut release, Praise, in these terms: "(Lam is) a modern griot recording for posterity a snapshot of Senegalese history."

Recognition first came her way in 1979 upon assuming the role of principal singer at the Daniel Sorono National Theater, after which she launched a solo career in the early 1990s.