Malian artist Pakenzy blends genres to reach young audiences
Rapper Moriba Coulibaly, known as Pakenzy, mixes hip-hop, afrobeat, and R&B influences to create accessible music.
Malian musician Pakenzy, whose real name is Moriba Coulibaly, began his music career in 2016 and launched a solo career in 2019. He releases singles like "Société" in March 2024 and "Loloni" in October 2026, blending hip-hop, rap, and afrobeat to appeal to a young audience while retaining Malian references. His song "Oh My Baby" reached the Shazam charts in Ivory Coast in October.
Pakenzy works independently without a label, collaborating with beatmaker Wippa Beat and his team. He aims for accessible and danceable songs that reflect the realities of his generation, focusing on themes of youth, love, and betrayal. He emphasizes patience, perseverance, and consistency in building his career, stating that it requires time, passion, and a connection with people.
The artist carefully manages his image through elegant appearances, clips, and social media performances to establish a recognizable identity. He has collaborated with artists like Sadio Sidibé, Dr Keb, and MS2 on tracks such as "Diarabi" in July 2024 and "FAMA" in January 2025. Pakenzy believes his music can bring happiness, dreams, and life lessons.
Why it mattersMalian youth are affected by Pakenzy's music which discusses their generation's realities, relationships, and contradictions.