Kouyaté's dense, emotional, hypnotic manner of singing and her lyrical talents have earned huge acclaim in Mali, though she remained relatively little known outside Africa, due to extremely limited availability of her recordings.

[2] As a young girl, she began singing with her uncle Mady Sylla Kouyaté in his popular dance band, The Apollos, in Bamako.

The Apollos' unique sound blended traditional, contemporary, local, and international influences, offering her the opportunity to not only help her family but also showcase her powerful contralto voice.

Back in Bamako, she was pursued by wealthy businessman Amary Daou who gave her large amounts of money and cars as gifts.

[7] Wealthy patrons such as Foutanga Babani Sissoko showered her with money, a car, and even a small airplane, indicating her popularity in Mali.

"[8] Cassette locales are not made for the market, but many copies end up there such as Kouyaté's Moyomba which was recorded during an 1980 performance in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

[7] Kandia Kouyaté toured Europe in 1999 alongside Guinean singers Sekouba Bambino & Oumou Diabate and with a 12 piece West African ensemble that included kora, djembe, ngoni, balafon, bass, keyboards, backing vocals and percussion.

[2] In 2011, producer Ibrahima Sylla, whose health was also declining, visited Kouyaté at her home in Bamako and convinced her to return to the recording studio.

"Renascence," her first release since experiencing her stroke in 2004, signifies a revival of both her career and her unique sound, which stands out in West African music.