Oh Maloya, your spicy notes and hints of sweet vanilla seem worlds away from Québec! But Kozé, one of the finalists of the Syli d’Or de la Musique du Monde, is coming to the rescue to take us on a trip to the Réunion Island thanks to Festival International Nuits d’Afrique! The six members of this flagship group trace their roots of their music back to the time of slavery. Just hearing the first few sounds of this exquisite Maloya band is enough to make you want to immediately adopt Reunionese Creole… Lé bon!

Here’s to a mixed heritage and openness! Carrying the universal Maloya message honouring freedom and identity, Kozé use their triple arsenal of vocals, chorus and percussion to amplify their plea in the name of those who were once muzzled in the face of an invader. The band’s rhythms and harmonies tap into this dark history so that we may never forget. Armed with traditional drums and other instruments, Kozé embodies the best of this island culture. “Isi la rényon!” Get ready to be rocked into a trance on Kosé’s turquoise waters, cool bourbon in hand, and be treated to an authentic Reunionese Creole experience.