Bilgho Akaramata Kora

Our inspirational leader for this week is a Burkinabe musician and vocalist ,Bilgho Akaramata Kora a.k.a Bil Aka Kora. He was born in Burkina Faso on April 25 ,1971 and is one of 17 children.

Initially Bilgho went to college to study math and physics but dropped out two years later because of financial circumstances. He had neither the funds nor a scholarship to continue his studies. Bil Aka Kora then turned to music to sustain a living. He began playing full time in bars and nightclubs. In 1997 the Cultural Minister of Burkina Faso initiated the National Grand Prizes of Music which is a national competition for Burkinabe musicians. Bil won first place and this encouraged him to develop his musical talent.

Currently he owns a production studio called Djongo Diffusion. His purpose with the studio is to help young people who want to become musicians. Bil has travelled to Belgium ,France and Canada to meet and exchange with other artists and musicians like the Austrian musician Humber Von Goisen.

Bilgho Akaramata Kora

Kora has won the Gold Kunde twice in 2000 and in 2005. So far he has recorded three albums. Most of his music has themes of social issues. In his song 'Wematou' (God is my father) he explains how society criticizes single moms and their children but finds no fault with single fathers and their children.

Bilgho Akaramata Kora hopes to become more famous both in Africa and Internationally. He also hopes to win the KORA a musical festival in South Africa.

LESSON: Which ever path you take in life there is always room to make a difference and communicate life lessons. 

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