From sharing stages with Alessia Cara, Walk Off the Earth, Serena Rider, Lisa Leblanc, Dean Brody, and opening for the 5x time Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo, Kelly Bado is redefining borders in music.

Her highly anticipated album, Belles Âmes, just dropped in 2025, launching an international journey across Canada, Europe, and Asia. Produced by Grammy-nominated, Juno-winning industry powerhouse Brian "Sweetwesty" West—whose work with Nelly Furtado, K’NAAN, Sia, and Maroon 5 has shaped the sound of a generation—the album is a stunning fusion of Angélique Kidjo’s African rythm, Yuna’s soulful serenity, and Corneille’s vibe..

In 2026, Kelly takes yet another leap, unveiling her first English debut EP, produced by three-time Grammy winner and Juno Award recipient Chin Injeti. An unapologetic, fresh exploration of musical and cultural expression.

Originally from Côte d'Ivoire and now based in Manitoba, Kelly’s deep-rooted passion for preserving languages shapes her artistry. Through her distinctive sound, she remains an ambassador for musical diversity—bridging generations, geographies, and genres with every note.

Press kit (pdf)

Music

- 3x Trille Or nominee (2025): Audience Favourite (Coup de coeur du public), Breakthrough Artist (Révélation), Solo Artist (Artiste Solo)
- Winner of Maison de la culture (Montreal) at Mundial 2024
- Art and Culture award - Black and proud gala 2024
- Francophone Artist of the Year and Global Artist of the Year - CWMA 2021 (Hey Terre)
- Francophone Artist of the Year - CWMA 2020 (Hey Terre)
- World Music Artist of the Year - CWMA 2018 (Entre Deux)
- Axe World Music Fest 2025
- Folk Alliance International 2025
- Contact Ontario 2025
- Mundial Montreal 2024
- Contact Alberta 2024
- Breakout West 2024
- Midwest Music Exchange MN 2024
- Profusion (virtual) ON 2024
- Festival ICGranby 2024
- Folk Music Ontario | Panelist on Creating new opportunities for Black artists 2022
- Résidence Projecteur 2022
- Canadian Music Week 2022
- SaskMusic | Panelist on Work/Life/Art/Balance 2022
- Festival international de la chanson de Granby 2022
- Contact Ouest (virtual) 2021
- RIDEAU Showcase (virtual) 2021
- Panelist at the Catalyst Music Conference (virtual) 2021
- Fleming Artists showcase Folk Alliance International (virtual) 2021
- 2024- Femme Boss feat. Alpha Toshineza
- 2024- Tout feat LIIX (Côte d’Ivoire)
- 2023 - Good People - released by Indian City feat. Julian Taylor and Kelly Bado
- 2023 - Fête de la St-Jean-Baptiste - Unis TV
- 2022 - At home for the Holiday - CTV
- 2020 - At home for the Holiday - CTV
- 2020 - Indigenous Day Live - APTN
- 2020 - Hey Terre album release
- 2020 – Tout pour la musique - TFO
- 2020 – Canada day Together on CBC TV
- 2020 – Mix Sonore Halifax - Unis TV
- Axe World Music Fest 2025
- Folk Alliance International 2025
- Contact Ontario 2025
- Mundial Montreal 2024
- Kelly Bado with the WInnipeg Jazz Orchestra @ CCFM 2024
- Contact Alberta 2024
- Breakout West 2024
- Midwest Music Exchange MN 2024
- Black and proud Gala - Canadian Human Rights Museum 2024
- BPM wag quamajug - Winnipeg Art Gallery 2024
- Coup de coeur franco - CCFM 2024
- Trout Forest Festival - Ear Falls 2023
- Fête de la St-Jean Baptiste - (filmed in Regina) Unis TV 2023
- Opening for 5 times Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo - Winnipeg Jazz Festival 2020
- Festival du voyageur 2023
- Lune des prairies : les voix féminines du MB - Productions Rivard 2023
- At home for the Holidays on CTV 2022
- Sphere Festival - Family Day with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra - National Arts Centre 2022
- Épluchette et forum d'accueil - Prince George - Cercle des canadiens français 2022
- TD plays the parks concert series - The Cube 2022
- Soirée Collab - Patio 340 2022
- JBlue Skies Festival - Clarendon Ontario 2022
- Water and Fire Festival - Lac du Bonnet 2022
- Kelly Bado with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra - Patio 340 2022
- Mother's Day celebration with Ottawa Symphony Orchestra - NAC 2022
- A Covid Elogy with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra 2022
- Stay at home concerts organized by Winnipeg Folk Festival 2022
- Manitoba 150 Celebration - Shaw Park 2021
- St-Bonifest - Coronation Park 2021
- Manitoba Finalists JIM BEAM virtual National Talent Search 2021
- February 25 - June 18 2021 - Virtual Touring in Ontario (8 cities: Timmins, Chapleau, Hearst, Kingston, Kapuskasing, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Hamilton)
- Block Heather organized by Calgary Festival - virtual 2021
- National Jazz Festival (CoJazz) 2021