Biography
Sousou Cissoko is an award-winning Swedish singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and one of the world’s few female kora players.
Born into a family where music and teaching are a way of life, with a father who is a professional musician and music educator, and a mother who has woven art and taught with care, Sousou grew up surrounded by rhythms and creativity. Her childhood in the small town of Höör, Sweden, was shaped by yarn and instruments, by a mother who wove, knitted, painted, and brought things to life with her hands, and by a home filled with music from many genres, played by her father and older brothers.
From early on, she experienced music and making as forms of weaving: connecting sound, memory, and spirit into something touching and meaningful.
At the age of 19, she was invited by Jali Alagi Mbye to begin studying the kora in The Gambia. Later, she continued her learning journey with masters such as Solo Cissokho and Toumani Diabaté in Senegal and Mali.
Her music weaves together the traditions of West African griot culture with Scandinavian folk melodies and acoustic soul, resulting in a sound that is both timeless and original.
Sousou has performed in over 30 countries, including appearances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Shanghai World Music Festival, and Bali Spirit Festival, and she performed for Youssou Ndour at the Polar Music Prize. She has opened for or shared stage with artists that are also some of her biggest inspirations and influences, such as Laleh, Lisa Ekdahl, and Amadou & Mariam. Her work includes song placements in film and theatre and she has a growing interest in composing for visual storytelling and in leading creative workshops and retreats around music, culture, and transformation.
Beyond the stage, Sousou has worked with Médecins Sans Frontières and the Red Cross, leading campaigns and building teams that helped raise millions for humanitarian efforts. She holds a degree in business and global development, is a certified yoga teacher, and continues to explore the intersections of art, healing, and social change.
Together with her partner Maher Cissoko, she performs as the duo Sousou & Maher Cissoko and co-leads Jaliya Camp, a creativity retreat center in Senegal focused on music, movement, and cultural exchange.
Whether composing, performing, mentoring or holding space, Sousou brings the same presence: weaving sound, story, and spirit, always with the intention to inspire, uplift, and invite connection.
She is currently working on her first solo album and the fifth album with Maher Cissoko.