I was borned and raised in a Malian family so I grew up listening to a lot of Malian and Guinean music. The singers I am going to introduce you today are 2 of my Fav' : Oumou Sangaré and Mokobé (I love them).Oumou Sangaré
Sangare kono, Sangare the songbird this is how Oumou Sangare, Mali's great diva, champion of womens rights, and one of the worlds most astounding female voices, describes herself when she sings her powerful songs that strike deep in the heart. Oumou Sangare draws deep from the wealth of musical traditions of southern Mali. She comments on all aspects of life in her country, especially the problems that women face on a daily basis because of polygamy, but also on the sensuality of young love, on the pain of exile, on the need to cultivate the land, and on the frailty of human life. Some of her songs use metaphor and irony; others are more direct. They are spirited expressions of her own philosophy and wisdom, born from her experience growing up in a poor family in Bamako and being catapulted to stardom aged only 21. And her idiom is the hauntingly beautiful home-grown music that has become her trademark: wassoulou.
But Sangare the songbird took all this much further than anyone else when she broke onto the scene in 1990 with her debut album, Moussolou (women). With this album not only was there a new bold rhythm and musical colour that took dance floors by storm, but it launched the voice of a gifted young woman with immense charisma. And in her music she had a personal mission - to improve the subservient position of women in Mali. Realising that she could not change the mind-set of the elders, Sangare addressed Malis unmarried youth. In a country where traditionally the young have no say, her songs were radical, passionate, and electrifying .
But most important of all, her songs talked from the perspective of a young unmarried woman, in ways that no other Malian artist had ever dared to do before. The album Moussolou was an unprecedented success throughout West Africa and catapulted Sangare to stardom. It also attracted the attention of Nick Gold of World Circuit who signed her to the label. Two international albums followed: Ko Sira and Worotan, and extensive touring around the world, winning her a reputation as one of Africas most original and striking female singers, faithful to her tradition but with a modern outlook. 6 foot tall, beautiful, gutsy, stylish, playful on stage, charismatic, compassionate, soulful, with a smile that lights up your heart, and a soaring, piercing voice, Oumou has become an icon in Mali and around the world. In the five years following the making of Worotan, Oumou has concentrated on spending more time with her family, on building a hotel in Bamako (Hotel Wasulu), performing concerts throughout Africa, and on producing music for her home market, with a number of best selling cassettes that continue to explore Malis diverse traditions, especially her own wassoulou. As Oumou says: Why bother to play other peoples music, when our own is so rich? 2003 saw the return of Oumou to the world stage with a series of summer festival dates including an incredible performance at WOMAD that was hailed by critics as one of the best in the festivals history. Throughout her career Oumou has always maintained her commitment to campaigning for womens rights and for those of the underprivileged around the globe. In October 2003 she was appointed as Ambassadress of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), a role that forms part of the FAOs struggle against famine. With the official backing of the FAO, Oumou is now in a position to tackle a wider range of issues on a global scale. Oumous touring continued into 2004, culminating in a show at the famous Hollywood Bowl in the USA. Appropriately titled Global Divas, the show also featured Tracy Chapman, with Oumou receiving much critical acclaim for her mesmeric performance. The year was rounded off with an amazing live duet on French TV with the multi-Grammy winning R&B superstar Alicia Keys. Oumou began working on new material at the beginning of 2006, and in spring 2006 she took part in the African Voices series of concerts in Belgium with artists of the calibre of Baba Sissoko, AKA Moon, Magic Malik, MeShell Ndégéocello, and Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour.
You go girl!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5oLxJNPhWiE&feature=related Alicia keys, Oumou Sangaré in Fallin' (Live)
Sangare kono, Sangare the songbird this is how Oumou Sangare, Mali's great diva, champion of womens rights, and one of the worlds most astounding female voices, describes herself when she sings her powerful songs that strike deep in the heart. Oumou Sangare draws deep from the wealth of musical traditions of southern Mali. She comments on all aspects of life in her country, especially the problems that women face on a daily basis because of polygamy, but also on the sensuality of young love, on the pain of exile, on the need to cultivate the land, and on the frailty of human life. Some of her songs use metaphor and irony; others are more direct. They are spirited expressions of her own philosophy and wisdom, born from her experience growing up in a poor family in Bamako and being catapulted to stardom aged only 21. And her idiom is the hauntingly beautiful home-grown music that has become her trademark: wassoulou.But Sangare the songbird took all this much further than anyone else when she broke onto the scene in 1990 with her debut album, Moussolou (women). With this album not only was there a new bold rhythm and musical colour that took dance floors by storm, but it launched the voice of a gifted young woman with immense charisma. And in her music she had a personal mission - to improve the subservient position of women in Mali. Realising that she could not change the mind-set of the elders, Sangare addressed Malis unmarried youth. In a country where traditionally the young have no say, her songs were radical, passionate, and electrifying .
But most important of all, her songs talked from the perspective of a young unmarried woman, in ways that no other Malian artist had ever dared to do before. The album Moussolou was an unprecedented success throughout West Africa and catapulted Sangare to stardom. It also attracted the attention of Nick Gold of World Circuit who signed her to the label. Two international albums followed: Ko Sira and Worotan, and extensive touring around the world, winning her a reputation as one of Africas most original and striking female singers, faithful to her tradition but with a modern outlook. 6 foot tall, beautiful, gutsy, stylish, playful on stage, charismatic, compassionate, soulful, with a smile that lights up your heart, and a soaring, piercing voice, Oumou has become an icon in Mali and around the world. In the five years following the making of Worotan, Oumou has concentrated on spending more time with her family, on building a hotel in Bamako (Hotel Wasulu), performing concerts throughout Africa, and on producing music for her home market, with a number of best selling cassettes that continue to explore Malis diverse traditions, especially her own wassoulou. As Oumou says: Why bother to play other peoples music, when our own is so rich? 2003 saw the return of Oumou to the world stage with a series of summer festival dates including an incredible performance at WOMAD that was hailed by critics as one of the best in the festivals history. Throughout her career Oumou has always maintained her commitment to campaigning for womens rights and for those of the underprivileged around the globe. In October 2003 she was appointed as Ambassadress of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), a role that forms part of the FAOs struggle against famine. With the official backing of the FAO, Oumou is now in a position to tackle a wider range of issues on a global scale. Oumous touring continued into 2004, culminating in a show at the famous Hollywood Bowl in the USA. Appropriately titled Global Divas, the show also featured Tracy Chapman, with Oumou receiving much critical acclaim for her mesmeric performance. The year was rounded off with an amazing live duet on French TV with the multi-Grammy winning R&B superstar Alicia Keys. Oumou began working on new material at the beginning of 2006, and in spring 2006 she took part in the African Voices series of concerts in Belgium with artists of the calibre of Baba Sissoko, AKA Moon, Magic Malik, MeShell Ndégéocello, and Pink Floyd guitarist Dave Gilmour.
You go girl!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5oLxJNPhWiE&feature=related Alicia keys, Oumou Sangaré in Fallin' (Live)
Mokobé
Of Malian, Mauritanian and Senegalese origins, Mokobé grew up in the Paris (France) suburb of Vitry – which is also called « the 9-4 » in French. The rapper came to prominence with the hip-hop band 113 (113 clan) and the Mafia K’1 Fry collective( le collectif de la Mafia K'1 Fry) . Le 113 clan was best known for songs like “Tonton du Bled”, "Les princes de la ville" and “Jackpotes 2000”. In June 2007, Mokobé brought out his first solo album, the ambitious "Mon Afrique" (My Africa). It features some of Africa’s top artists such as Youssou Ndour, Salif Keita, Seun Kuti, Fou Malade, Sékouba Bambino, Tiken Jah Fakoly......
I had the opportunity to meet this fella a few months ago at a restaurant in Bamako (Mali), let me just tell you that he is the most nice and down to earth celebrity I have ever met in my whole life, he was very nice to everybody and even take a picture with me. Thank you Mokobé!!!!
Of Malian, Mauritanian and Senegalese origins, Mokobé grew up in the Paris (France) suburb of Vitry – which is also called « the 9-4 » in French. The rapper came to prominence with the hip-hop band 113 (113 clan) and the Mafia K’1 Fry collective( le collectif de la Mafia K'1 Fry) . Le 113 clan was best known for songs like “Tonton du Bled”, "Les princes de la ville" and “Jackpotes 2000”. In June 2007, Mokobé brought out his first solo album, the ambitious "Mon Afrique" (My Africa). It features some of Africa’s top artists such as Youssou Ndour, Salif Keita, Seun Kuti, Fou Malade, Sékouba Bambino, Tiken Jah Fakoly......I had the opportunity to meet this fella a few months ago at a restaurant in Bamako (Mali), let me just tell you that he is the most nice and down to earth celebrity I have ever met in my whole life, he was very nice to everybody and even take a picture with me. Thank you Mokobé!!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=b6DUfk7pHRM Dj Lewis, Mokobé in "Bisous"
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y5YAVHurmXI&feature=related Viviane Ndour, Mokobé "Safari"
One of my favorite song of all time was done by these artists, so check it out, I specially like the last part of the video when they're all dancing together ( Sundiata bora mali la, Babemba bora mali la, Djenné bé Mali kono, ........)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=48jxb_3Tj34&feature=related Voix du Mali( A great song)
Djaa Mali puissancy O Mangny dé, Thanks to Oumou and Mokobé for bringing our music all around the world.)
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