Iba One | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ibrahim Mahamadou Fily Sissoko |
| Born | 22 March 1989 Bamako, Mali |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Team Gladia Productions |
Ibrahim Mahamadou Fily Sissoko (born on March 22, 1989), better known by his stage name Iba One, is a Malian rapper, songwriter and record producer. Recognized as one of West Africa's most prominent hip-hop artists, he is known for his versatile style encompassing hip-hop, Afropop, and conscious rap.
Iba holds the Guinness World Record for the most wins at a single All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) ceremony, having won five awards on 21 November 2021. [1] This historic achievement included the Continental awards for Album of the Year (Mon Empire), Songwriter of the Year, Best African Pop, and Best Inspirational Music – Male Artist, in addition to the Regional award for Best Male Artist – West Africa. [2] He also earned the title of "Best Artist of West Africa" at the 2021 PRIMUD (Prix International de la Musique Urbaine et du Coupé Décalé). [3]
His critically acclaimed double album, Mon Empire (2020), which draws inspiration from the historic Mali Empire, earned him several major awards and made him among the leading voices in African music. Beyond his musical career, Iba is also a noted philanthropist, focusing on supporting orphans and underserved communities. [4] He founded the multiservice company and record label Team Gladia, aiming to nurture the next generation of Malian artists. [5] [6]
He rose to fame in rap in 2010, a year in which he received several awards. In 2013, he won best "Dirty Freestyle" in Côte d'Ivoire. [8]
In 2016, at the Tamani d'Or International Music Festival, Iba One received the title of Best Rapper of the Year and was named Rap Revelation of the Year at the African Moove Awards. [9]
In 2021, he won five trophies at the All Africa Music Awards in Nigeria in the following categories: Best Male Artist in Western Africa, Album of the Year, Best African Pop Duo or Group, Best Male African Artist in Inspirational Music, and Songwriter of the Year. [2]
Iba is also a philanthropist. [10] He primarily helps orphans and the most disadvantaged. He has donated food to children of soldiers who died for the country and to several orphanages. [4] At the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, he distributed masks and sanitizer to talibés (Qur'anic students) on the streets and in markets. [4]
Iba is married and has one son. On September 30, 2021, Iba lost his mother, Oumou Dily Camara, whom he often mentioned in his songs. She was buried in Médina Coura. [11]
The album title "Mon Empire" refers to the reign of Emperor Mansa Musa in the 14th century, who brought the Mali Empire to its peak. Gold mining allowed Mansa Musa to accumulate considerable wealth and ensure the prosperity of his kingdom. He is a source of inspiration for the artist in this double album. [12] [13]
The album consists of 34 tracks. The songs cover various themes: education, the fight against prostitution, the plight of street children, love, conscious Rap; Iba One also engages in "egotrip" (like many rappers, he promotes himself) and "clash" (in rap, attacking someone, often another rapper). [14] [15]
The album earned Iba One several awards in various African countries. [14] [13] [6]
Iba has received numerous awards throughout his career. [16] [17] [18] [19]
| Year | Category | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best Rapper of the Year | Mali Hiphop Awards (Mali) | Won |
| 2010 | Best Song of the Year (alhadoulilaye) | Mali HipHop Awards 2010 (Mali) | Won |
| 2010 | GRR Best Group of the Year | Mali HipHop Awards (Mali) | Won |
| 2010 | Best Rapper of Mali | Tamani d'Or (Mali) | Won |
| 2013 | Best Rapper in Dirty Rap Diaspora | Dirty Rap (Côte d'Ivoire) | Won |
| 2015 | Best Rapper of the Year | Tamani d'Or (Mali) | Won |
| 2015 | Among the 21 Most Influential Youths of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2015 | Most Influential Rapper of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2015 | Dokera Best HipHop Video of the Year (Music video) | WATSUP TV AFRICA (Ghana) | Won |
| 2016 | Best Collaboration of the Year (Akouma te kai feat Sidiki Diabaté) | Mali HipHop Awards (Mali) | Won |
| 2016 | Most Influential Rapper of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2016 | Among the 21 Most Influential Youths of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2016 | Best Rap Revelation of the Year | Africamoove (France) | Won |
| 2017 | Best African Rapper of the Year | Festi Simandou (Guinea) | Won |
| 2017 | Best Rapper of Mali | Tamani d'Or (Mali) | Won |
| 2017 | Best Male Artist of the Year | Tamani d'Or (Mali) | Won |
| 2017 | Most Influential Rapper of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2017 | Among the 21 Most Influential Youths of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2018 | Best Ambassador of Malian Music | Nuit des stars (Mali) | Won |
| 2018 | Among the 21 Most Influential Youths of Mali | Kewale People magazine (Mali) | Won |
| 2019 | Most Influential Artist of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2019 | Among the 21 Most Influential Youths of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2019 | Best Rapper of the Year | Nuit des stars (Mali) | Won |
| 2019 | Best Ambassador of Malian Music | Nuit des stars (Mali) | Won |
| 2019 | Best Rapper of the Year | Mali Awards (Mali) | Won |
| 2020 | Most Influential Artist of the Year | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2020 | Voted Among the 21 Most Influential Youths of Mali | Magazine Kewale People (Mali) | Won |
| 2020 | Best Ambassador of Malian Rap | Nuit des stars (Mali) | Won |
| 2020 | Best Urban Singer | Nuit des Stars (Mali) | Won |
| 2020 | Best Rapper of the Year | Nuit des Stars (Mali) | Won |
| 2020 | Honorary Trophy for Courage Towards His Mother | Groupe Mande Massa (Mali) | Won |
| 2020 | Best Artist of Francophone West Africa | Primud d'or (Côte d'Ivoire) | Won |
| 2020 | Best Artist of West Africa | African Awards Talents (Côte d'Ivoire) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Francophone West African Artist of the Year | Primud d'or (Côte d'Ivoire) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Album of the Year - Mon Empire | All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) (Nigeria) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Male Inspirational Artist of the Year - Éducation feat Oumou Sangaré | All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) (Nigeria) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Songwriter of the Year - Éducation feat Oumou Sangaré | All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) (Nigeria) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Artist West Africa | KUNDE D’or (Burkina Faso) | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Artist West Africa | Bénin Showbiz Awards (Bénin) | Won |
| 2021 | Most Influential African Artist of the Year | Bénin Showbiz Awards (Bénin) | Won |
| 2021 | Best African Rapper 2021 | African Talent Awards (Côte d'Ivoire) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Album of the Year 2021 | African Talent Awards (Côte d'Ivoire) | Won |
| 2021 | Best African Artist of the Year | Galsen hip-hop Awards (Senegal) | Won |
| 2021 | (Mon Empire) Best African Album of the Year | Galsen hip-hop Awards (Senegal) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Artist of the Year | NekaMag (Mali) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Album of the Year | Renouveau foly award (Mali) | Won |
| 2021 | Best Rap Album of the Year | Renouveau foly award (Mali) | Won |