Fatoumata Diawara

Hailed as one of the most vital standard-bearers of modern African music, singer, songwriter,and guitaristFatoumata Diawarais taking her artistry to fresh and thrilling heights. Boldlyexperimental yet respectful of her Malian roots, Fatoumata’smusic defines her as the voice ofyoung African womanhood–proud of her heritage but with a vision that looks confidently tothe future. Her live performances “scream with energy” (NPR), her stage presence both“hypnotic” and “captivating” (Rolling Stone). Fatoumata’s most recent release, the GrammyAward nominatedFenfo, is a set of vivid and original new compositions that draw on the richexperiences and musical adventures she’s enjoyed in recent years. A modern day storyteller,Fatoumata covers such timeless subjects as respect, humility, love, migration, family and howto build a better world for our children in her music. “Don’t sing just to sing,” she emphasizes,“sing to change things, to make things better.”As a singer, actress, songwriter, and activist, Fatoumata has shared her message and experiencewith audiences all over the world. With performances at Glastonbury and other major festivals,Fatoumata has also worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary music. Sherecorded with Bobby Womack and Herbie Hancock; assembled a West African super-groupfeaturing Amadou and Mariam, Oumou Sangaré, and Toumani Diabaté to record a song callingfor peace in her troubled homeland; climbed aboard Damon Albarn’s star-studded AfricaExpress, which culminated in her sharing a stage with Sir Paul McCartney; and performed withcountless other esteemed musicians such as Omara Portuondo, Dee Dee Bridgewater, HabibKoité, Roberto Fonseca, and Rokia Traoré. In fact, it was fellow Malian songstress Rokia Traoréwho encouraged Fatoumata to pick up a guitar, a suggestion that opened the door to hercareer in music.

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