He was born into the Kouyate family in Garana, Barouéli Cercle, 60 kilometres from Ségou, in 1966.

[2] He has also appeared on a number of albums by Toumani Diabaté[2] and has performed in several European countries.

Kouyate's wife, Amy Sacko, is also a successful solo artist and sings lead in his band.

[2][4] His father, Mustapha Kouyate, was a ngoni player and his mother Yagaré Damba was a praise singer.

[1] Kouyate, together with Amy Sacko and Ngoni ba, appeared at The 2013 Proms.