Maciré Sylla was born and lives in the Guinea capital of Conakry, but spent most of her childhood in the countryside. Staying with her grandparents there, she learnt traditional songs from her grandmother, who also taught her about her heritage and Guinea's traditional culture. Maciré Sylla sings mainly in the Soussou language, while the majority of singers from griot class ( a West African poet, praise singer, and wandering musician) sing in the Malenke language.