Attractions.
Meet Our Artists
Meet the artists who will be performing at the African Descent Festival 2026
Our Artist 2026
Alpha Yaya Diallo is a Canadian three-time Juno Award and many Canadian and Latino Music international recording Award and highly celebrated Artists in Vancouver and Canadian Music and entertainment industry. Originally from Guinea, singer-guitarist Alpha Yaya Diallo discovered the West Coast of Canada after a tour with percussion group Fatale, and decided to settle in Vancouver in 1991. A self-taught musician, Alpha Yaya Diallo has gained an international reputation for his virtuosity both on electric and acoustic guitar, as well as for his skill on percussions. A true world artist, he sings in French, English, Fulani and Maninka. His recordings have earned him numerous awards and nominations, including three Juno awards in the “Best Global Album” or “World Music Album of the Year” categories, which he won in 1999, 2002 and 2005.
The spellbinding musician, an adept of both acoustic and electric guitar, sings in Fulani, Susu, French and English. Diallo poetically forged his own path alongside his brothers in music, from Baaba Maal to Salif Keita. His style is like a vital transfusion of rhythms and melodic lines. Senegalese dance-inducing mbalax with a breath of Cap Verde and Caribbean influences infiltrate his exquisite arrangements, taking us on a journey free of borders. Whether playing solo or as an accompanist, his versatility and potency are always on display. Deeply committed to social issues, Alpha Yaya Diallo has used his talents to raise awareness around issues of famine, Africa’s debt burden and the ravages of HIV/AIDS. His mesmerizing riffs are always in tune with his social conscience.
Guitarist and singer Alpha Yaya Diallo, from Guinea in West Africa, is one of the hottest acts on the world music scene. Now based in Canada, he’s earned a matchless reputation for the excellence of his musicianship and the excitement of his live shows – whether performing solo or with his band
Diallo is a multi-talented artist. His dexterous acoustic and electric guitar-playing, with its fluid melodic lines and compelling grooves, places him in the front ranks of African axemen. In addition, he’s a skilled and experienced performer on a variety of percussion instruments, and on the balafon (traditional marimba). To cap it off, Diallo writes all his own compositions and sings with a supple, high, and beautifully modulated voice. By successfully uniting the traditional and the contemporary in African music, Diallo has carved out a niche beside such luminaries as Salif Keita, Baaba Maal, Youssou N’Dour, and Mory Kante. https://alphayayadiallo.com/
Alpha Yaya Diallo is a Canadian three-time Juno Award and many Canadian and Latino Music international recording Award and highly celebrated Artists in Vancouver and Canadian Music and entertainment industry. Originally from Guinea, singer-guitarist Alpha Yaya Diallo discovered the West Coast of Canada after a tour with percussion group Fatale, and decided to settle in Vancouver in 1991. A self-taught musician, Alpha Yaya Diallo has gained an international reputation for his virtuosity both on electric and acoustic guitar, as well as for his skill on percussions. A true world artist, he sings in French, English, Fulani and Maninka. His recordings have earned him numerous awards and nominations, including three Juno awards in the “Best Global Album” or “World Music Album of the Year” categories, which he won in 1999, 2002 and 2005.
The spellbinding musician, an adept of both acoustic and electric guitar, sings in Fulani, Susu, French and English. Diallo poetically forged his own path alongside his brothers in music, from Baaba Maal to Salif Keita. His style is like a vital transfusion of rhythms and melodic lines. Senegalese dance-inducing mbalax with a breath of Cap Verde and Caribbean influences infiltrate his exquisite arrangements, taking us on a journey free of borders. Whether playing solo or as an accompanist, his versatility and potency are always on display. Deeply committed to social issues, Alpha Yaya Diallo has used his talents to raise awareness around issues of famine, Africa’s debt burden and the ravages of HIV/AIDS. His mesmerizing riffs are always in tune with his social conscience.
SAMBA FUSION
Oct-Sunday 6:00pm-7:00pm
Samba Fusion is a Vancouver Dance Group whose roots are based in Brazilian Samba fused with numerous dance styles, music and rhythms. Samba Fusion International Dance Group. This Dance Group was formed by Andrea Monteiro and Naija K in 2009. Because of their common dance background in “Samba.” As the ideas flowed in the initial stages of Samba Fusion’s development, more dancers joined the group and each dancer brought their on experience in different styles of dance. This is how the name of the group, Samba Fusion, came to transpire. The women have been working to weave and fuse many styles of dance and rhythms together to create a new vision of dance – to capture the audience and leave them fascinated with the worldly flavor! Dancers have studied and performed dance in Brazil, Canada,China, Central America, and Tibet. Samba Fusion International Dance Group performs several styles of dance and dance fusion including:
Brazilian Samba, Samba Reggae, Afro- Brazilian, Belly Dance, Gypsy, Hip Hop. Contemporary, Salsa/Latin/Reggae-ton, African, Polynesian, Bollywood , Vegas Show, Showgirls, Cabaret.
Website: https://www.escoladesambafusion.com/
One Stainless is a dynamic dancehall and reggae artist hailing from Jamaica, now based in the vibrant music scene of Vancouver. With a unique blend of Caribbean rhythms and contemporary flair, One Stainless brings the energy and authenticity of his roots to every performance. Having called Vancouver home for over five years, his sound reflects a fusion of his Jamaican heritage and the city’s diverse influences. Known for his infectious beats, powerful vocals, and catchy hooks, One Stainless is quickly establishing himself as a rising star in the global reggae and dancehall scene. His music promotes both African and Jamaican Canadian roots dancehall and reggae music inspired youth in Vancouver and beyond. The vision was to provide the basic fundamental for youth and emerging artist to engage in the Afro music industries in Canada. The decision to move corporate to Vancouver BC led One Stainless to promote his talent where he is known as one of the best dance hall and reggae Afro Canadian with Jamaican roots. The collective experiences of the board/staff in the entertainment industry, gives the youth a wealth of information to learn from Stainless dance hall music. The mission of One Stainless is to encourage diversity, self esteem and an awareness of social issue through arts and entertainment dance hall culture edutainment. Dancehall music is a powerful tool when used positively. There have been numerous amounts of studies shown how dancehall has been used to influence African Descent culture and this is the main purpose of One Stainless Dancehall culture.
Headliner Hanson Baliruno, Saava Karim, Samba Fusion, One Stainless, Steve Sacky, African and many more.
African Descent Festival and NAUCA Convention present a great three-day events music and dance for creative expression through music, sound, dance and rhythm. Through alternating patterns of melody and cadence, together with lyrics of experience, mystery and imagination, these artists share with others by dance and creative performing Afro Canadian various styles. By participating into this year’s festival, we bring artists from different talents include, Afrobeats, reggae, Afro pop, R&B, African Dance, African Drum Circle, super talented DJs, and so many other genres.
Event Schedule
