BOMBINO

Gritty as the Sahara sand, as fierce as a sirocco wind, Bombino’s instinctual, riveting riffs blend with, sometimes burst beyond, but always intensify traditional percussive rhythms. The New York Times has dubbed him “the Sultan of Shred,” a nod to his guitar technique and the speed with which he plays as he unleashes a powerful blast of desert blues and Tuareg rock.

His latest album, "Sahel" (2023), which earned him a Grammy nomination, is a tribute to the Tuareg themselves, their rich culture and his own origins that are so much a part of his identity. It is also a subtle yet steadfast appeal for the rights of his people.