Adama Janlo

Adama Janlo is a Norwegian soul, blues and R&B singer who won the European Blues Challenge 2026 in Katowice, Poland — the first Norwegian act to take the title since Rita Engedalen in 2012.

Born in 1997 and raised in the Sagene district of Oslo to parents from The Gambia, Janlo grew up between two musical worlds. Her West African upbringing gave her Youssou N'Dour and Oumou Sangaré; her discovery of Etta James, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin pointed her toward soul. She decided to sing at eleven, after hearing Wonder and Beyoncé, and began formal vocal training at eighteen.

From Notodden to Katowice

Janlo built her reputation on the Norwegian live circuit, including appearances at the Notodden Blues Festival and a spell as a vocal instructor at Little Steven's Blues School. In 2024 the Norsk Bluesunion awarded her its Young Artist scholarship, a recognition that preceded her breakthrough.

Her debut album A Free Woman, released in September 2025 and produced by Kim Bergseth, drew wide critical praise for its intensity and emotional range. She describes her music as soul with strong elements of blues and R&B, and it is that combination she carried to Poland in April 2026, where she won the European Blues Challenge outright.

Beyond the stage

Janlo has also worked as an actor, appearing in My Story – Hope Road 56 Revisited at the Norwegian National Opera and writing and performing her own solo piece, Ganu fɔlɔ donkɛ – Historien om mitt liv, at the Oslo World Festival. A 10/10-rated set at Bergenfest in 2026 confirmed her as one of the most compelling voices in Norwegian blues.

European Blues Challenge 2026 — 1st place; Norsk Bluesunion Young Artist scholarship 2024