Alpha Yaya Diallo, born in Conakry, Guinea, is a Canadian guitarist and singer-songwriter of Guinean origin. He began playing percussion at school and taught himself guitar at an early age. While studying at the University of Conakry, he led the orchestra Sons of Rais and toured extensively across West Africa. After moving to Europe in the mid-1980s, Diallo worked with Fatala, a group associated with Peter Gabriel's label. He settled in Vancouver, Canada, in 1991. His debut solo album Néné was released in 1993 and nominated for a Juno Award. Subsequent albums include The Message (1999), which won the Juno Award for Best World Music Album, and The Journey (2001), also winning the same category. Diallo collaborated with African Guitar Summit on their album in 2004, sharing another Juno Award. He has also produced a documentary titled Best of Both Worlds.
