Malian singer
Fatoumata Diawara immediately became a global star in 2011 with her debut album
Fatou. Prior to that, she already had a career in West Africa and France as an actress, dancer, and backing vocalist; she acted in films and theater productions and collaborated with renowned singers such as Dee Dee Bridgewater and fellow countrywoman Oumou Sangaré. Like the latter, Diawara draws inspiration from wassoulou music, but adds Western elements from jazz and blues, among others, as well as broader African influences. She uses both her music and her fame in the fight against injustice that particularly affects women and children; for instance, she speaks out against female genital mutilation in her country. Her voice, considered one of the most beautiful in Africa, transcends language and culture, and her music has regularly won awards. She was nominated for a Grammy twice and won an Edison Jazz Award in 2019. Last month saw the release of her latest album,
Massa, with which she captivates once again.
