Ibeyi
French twin duo blending Yoruba, French and Afro-Cuban sounds.
Ibeyi is a French duo formed by twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz. They perform in English, French, Spanish, and Yoruba; the group’s name comes from the Yoruba word Ìbejì, meaning “twins.” Their sound draws from Yoruba, French, and Afro-Cuban music, mixing jazz with beats and blending samples with traditional instruments. Lisa, the lead vocalist, handles piano, while Naomi plays the cajón and Batá drum, percussion instruments rooted in Peruvian and Cuban traditions.
The sisters were born in Paris on 13 December 1994. They spent their first two years in Havana before moving back to Paris, where they were raised and educated. They visited Cuba annually for holidays and now live in Paris. Their father, Anga Díaz, was a celebrated Cuban percussionist who performed with the Latin jazz band Irakere after they won a Grammy in 1980, and he also performed and recorded with Buena Vista Social Club members including Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, and Compay Segundo. After his death in 2006, Naomi, then 11, learned to play his signature instrument, the cajón. Together, the sisters studied Yoruba folk songs. Their mother, Maya Dagnino, a French-Venezuelan singer, manages the duo and encouraged Lisa-Kaindé’s songwriting.
In 2013, Ibeyi signed with XL Recordings. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2015 when they were 20, was produced solely with label owner Richard Russell. The album honors their late father, and the track “Yanira” memorializes their older sister, who died in 2013; the song ends with a synth that mimics a life-support monitor. In 2014, the video for the second single “River” drew attention: the twins appear in close-up, taking turns having their heads submerged while the other sings.
In 2016, they appeared in Beyoncé’s short film *Lemonade* as part of a farm utopia representing a safe space for black women. That May, they performed live in Havana at the CHANEL 2016 Cruise collection show and the MUSICABANA festival. Their 2017 album *Ash* was nominated for IMPALA’s European Album of the Year Award. In 2021, they contributed a song to the soundtrack of *How to Stop a Recurring Dream*. In March 2026, they released the single “Aset,” the lead track for their upcoming album *Offering*, scheduled for July 26, 2026.
Ibeyi cites influences including their father, Frank Ocean, James Blake, and King Krule.
Quick Facts
- Birth Place
- Paris, France
- Genre
- Soul · R&B · downtempo · electronic · experimental · trip hop
- Years Active
- –present
- Label
- XL
- Current Members
- Lisa-Kaindé Diaz / Naomi Diaz
- Birth Date
- 1994-12-13
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The fraternal twins were born 13 December 1994 in Paris. They lived in Havana for the first two years of their lives, then moved to Paris, where they were educated. They visited Cuba yearly on holiday but were primarily raised in Paris, where they currently reside. Their father was the famed Cuban percussionist Anga Díaz, who performed with the Grammy-winning Latin jazz band Irakere after their 1980 win and performed and recorded with Buena Vista Social Club members. After his death in 2006, Naomi, then aged 11, learned to play his signature instrument, the cajón. Together the sisters studied Yoruba folk songs. Their mother is French-Venezuelan singer Maya Dagnino, who serves as their manager and encouraged Lisa-Kaindé's songwriting.
In 2013, they signed to XL Recordings. Their self-titled debut album, released in 2015, pays tribute to their deceased father; the track 'Yanira' immortalizes the duo's
Reader's Guide
Ibeyi's significance lies in their unique fusion of Yoruba, French and Afro-Cuban musical traditions, bridging continents and generations. As daughters of the late Cuban percussionist Anga Díaz, they carry forward his legacy while forging their own path in contemporary music. Their work often explores themes of loss, spirituality and identity, as seen in their debut album's tribute to their father and sister. The duo's use of Yoruba language and references to Santería reflect a deep connection to Afro-Cuban religious heritage. Their appearance in Beyoncé's Lemonade short film brought them wider visibility, placing them within a broader conversation about black womanhood and artistic expression. Their nomination for IMPALA's European Album of the Year Award for Ash underscores their impact on the European music scene. By blending traditional instruments like the cajón and Batá drum with modern beats and samples, Ibeyi creates a sound that is both rooted and forward-looking, appealing to audiences across cultural boundaries.
Did You Know?
- Ibeyi means 'twins' in Yoruba.
- Their father, Anga Díaz, was a Grammy Award-winning Cuban percussionist who played with Buena Vista Social Club.
- The track 'Yanira' on their debut album immortalizes their older sister, who died in 2013.
- In 2016, they appeared in the short film for Beyoncé's album Lemonade.
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