Sona Jobarteh

Introduction: A Trailblazer in Musical Heritage

Sona Jobarteh is a groundbreaking figure in the world of music and Entertainment, renowned globally as a Kora Virtuoso, vocalist, composer, and cultural activist. Born in 1983, she holds the historic distinction of being the first female professional kora player from a prestigious West African Griot lineage. The kora, a 21-string harp-lute, is an instrument traditionally passed down from father to son for over seven centuries within the Mandé Griot communities of West Africa. Sona Jobarteh shatters this gender barrier, not only mastering the instrument but also revitalizing its place in contemporary global music. Her key achievement lies in seamlessly blending traditional Mandé sounds with Afro-pop, jazz, and classical influences, creating a unique and powerful sonic signature that champions cultural pride while speaking to modern audiences worldwide.

Early Life & Education: Forged in a Griot Dynasty

Sona Jobarteh was born in 1983 into one of West Africa's most revered musical families, the Jobarteh dynasty of Guinea and The Gambia. Her grandfather, the legendary Amadu Bansang Jobarteh, was a master Griot, and her cousin, Toumani Diabaté, is a world-famous kora maestro. This environment immersed her in the deep traditions of the Griot—historically the storytellers, historians, and musicians of Mandé society.

Her formal education began at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London, followed by studies at the Purcell School of Music. She is a classically trained cellist, pianist, and composer, holding a degree in Composition, Ethnomusicology, and African Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London. This unique dual foundation—rigorous Western classical training and deep-rooted Griot heritage—provided the formative crucible for her artistic identity. She began learning the kora at the age of four under the tutelage of her brother, Tunde Jegede, and later her father, Sanjally Jobarteh, defying centuries of tradition to claim her birthright as a female carrier of this sacred musical knowledge.

Career & Major Achievements: Redefining a Tradition

Sona Jobarteh's career is a testament to artistic innovation and cultural leadership. She first gained international recognition as a vocalist and kora player on collaborative projects and film scores, including the award-winning documentary The Motherland. However, her solo career catapulted her to global stages.

Breakthrough Album and Global Recognition

Her 2011 debut solo album, Fasiya (Heritage), was a critical triumph. It boldly presented her as both a preserver and innovator, featuring original compositions that spoke of identity, social issues, and love. The album solidified her status as a Kora Virtuoso and established her touring band, which has since performed at major venues and festivals across Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Notable Performances and Collaborations

• Headlining performances at global festivals like the Hollywood Bowl (USA), Roskilde (Denmark), and WOMAD (UK).
• Composing for and performing in the 2010 major film The First Grader.
• Collaborations with luminaries such as Oumou Sangaré, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and Grammy-winning jazz artists.
• Her 2020 single, "Jerusalem," and subsequent releases continue to garner millions of streams, expanding her digital footprint significantly.

Cultural Advocacy and Education

Beyond performance, Sona Jobarteh's career is defined by activism. In 2015, she founded The Gambia Academy, a pioneering institution dedicated to providing a holistic, culturally centered education for African youth. The academy, located in The Gambia, integrates a rigorous academic curriculum with the study of traditional African arts, music, history, and agriculture. This venture is perhaps her most profound achievement, directly addressing the need for education rooted in African identity and self-sufficiency. Her TED Talks and lectures at universities worldwide further amplify her message of cultural equity and the transformative power of heritage.

Personal Life & Legacy: Building the Future

Sona Jobarteh maintains a base both in the UK and in The Gambia, where she is deeply involved in the daily operations of The Gambia Academy. She is a mother and often speaks about the importance of family and community in her life. Her personal interests extend to history, languages, and sustainable development in Africa.

Her philanthropic work is intrinsically linked to the academy, which operates as a non-profit. She actively fundraises and advocates for its model of education, viewing it as a direct way to shape a new generation of confident, knowledgeable African leaders. The legacy of Sona Jobarteh is thus dual-faceted: she is preserving a musical tradition by revolutionizing who can participate in it, and she is investing in the intellectual and cultural future of the continent. She stands as a role model for African women, for artists, and for anyone committed to using their talent for social change. Her legacy is not just in the music she records, but in the minds she educates and the cultural barriers she continues to dismantle.

Net Worth & Business Ventures

While Sona Jobarteh's exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, her financial success is derived from a multifaceted career as a performing artist, recording musician, and cultural entrepreneur. Primary income streams include:

• Global Touring: Revenue from concert tickets and performances at major international festivals and venues.
• Music Sales and Streaming: Income from album sales, digital downloads, and streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
• Commissions and Film Scores: Earnings from composing for film, television, and collaborative projects.
• Educational Initiatives: While The Gambia Academy is a non-profit, it represents a significant social enterprise, funded through grants, donations, and likely a portion of her artistic earnings. She also generates income through workshops and masterclasses.

Her most significant "business" venture is effectively her life's work: The Gambia Academy. This project, while charitable, is a sustainable venture aimed at creating long-term social capital. Sona Jobarteh's financial model supports her artistic freedom and fuels her philanthropic mission, making her a powerful example of a 21st-century artist-entrepreneur dedicated to cultural preservation and education.

For more information on Sona Jobarteh's music and The Gambia Academy, you can visit her official website. Her story is also documented through various interviews and features on platforms like BBC and TED.