Artist: Y'akoto

23 year-old German based newcomer Y'Akoto is about to release her debut, Babyblues , in France through the relaunched East West/Warner imprit. The leading first single "Diamonds" , as well as the acoustic laidback Soul she showcases throughout her album, should appeal to fans of fellow German female singers such as Ayo or Nneka , or even to those who love cult raspy Soul vocalists such as Erykah Badu and Amy Winehouse to whom she's already been compared. --- [...]

Photo by Cláudio Lwakuti I found out about Y'akoto through a post on Luanda Jazz Festival's Facebook page . It was love at first listen, as soon as she started crooning into the microphone. Jesus. That voice...her accent is glorious, her delivery is unique, her demeanor drips soul and class. It's that type of throaty cadence that I love. Y'akoto is a half German, half Ghanaian chanteuse that reminds me of Mayra Andrade in that both have lived and traveled extensively throughout West Africa and Western Europe, and both possess the type [...]

• Y'akoto - 02 Tamba.mp3