Denbaya, which means family in Bambara, began as a collaboration between Malian artists Makane Kouyate and Balla Kouyate, and New York-based artists Marco Chelo, John Austria, Keith Gamble, Fred Pratt, Vince Warren, and Jose Rosario;  Denbaya is Makane's family in New York.

Kouyate sings about themes such longing for home, peace, spirituality, and most of all, love, which is the driving force behind Denbaya's music. With the exception of "Djarabi" and "Yiri Tule," which are traditional songs, all other tunes have been written by Makane. Kouyate, who was born into a Griot family, has been playing the drums since he was five years old. He has performed with artists such as Salif Keita, Habib Koite', Sadjo Kouyate, the Mamadou Diabate Ensemble, and many others.

Makane currently resides in New York and performs across the country at numerous clubs and festivals. He has taught African percussion at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, the Queens Conservatory of Music, the Spring Valley School, the South Bronx Summer Camp, and at the New York Jazz Workshop. 

Mali in New York is Makane's debut album.