Bokanté (the name means “exchange” in Guadeloupean Creole) is an international music ensemble formed in 2016 by Michael League, best known as the leader of the Grammy-winning band Snarky Puppy. The project grew from League’s chance musical collaboration with Malika Tirolien, a vocalist and songwriter originally from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.
The group’s sound blends a rich tapestry of influences, from West African and Arab blues traditions to Caribbean folk, rock, and global rhythms. League shifted from bass to baritone guitar for Bokanté, emphasizing cross-cultural conversation through music and instrumentation.
Although members come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, this multi-lingual, multi-generational ensemble shares a cohesive voice, with lyrics primarily sung in Guadeloupean Creole and French, often exploring themes of identity, unity, social struggle, and hope.
Bokanté’s music is often described as a global fusion, blending delta blues structures, West African and Arab rhythms, Caribbean melodies, and rock energy into a singular world-beat aesthetic. Their instrumentation brings traditional and contemporary instruments together in powerful and evocative ways, creating music that speaks across cultures and languages.
Core Members (various recordings)
Malika Tirolien — vocals
Michael League — baritone guitar, bass
Chris McQueen — guitar
Bob Lanzetti — guitar
Roosevelt Collier — lap/pedal steel guitar
Jamey Haddad — percussion
André Ferrari — percussion
Keita Ogawa (also spelled Okawa) — percussion
Albums
Strange Circles (2017). Bokanté’s debut album, spanning everything from blues and rock to Caribbean grooves. Songs mix Creole and French lyrics with socially conscious imagery.
What Heat (2018) — Bokanté + Metropole Orkest. A collaborative orchestral project with the Metropole Orkest, conducted by Jules Buckley. Blends Bokanté’s core sound with lush orchestral arrangements. Grammy-nominated for Best World Music Album.
History (2023). A continuation of their cross-cultural exploration with strong percussive, guitar, and vocal interplay. Themes of global unity, memory, and endurance run throughout. Most lyrics are in Guadeloupean Creole, with the title track in English.