18 voices on the new album by Les Amazones d’Afrique

MALI

Mamani Assitan Keïta was born in the city of Bamako. She did not know her father and lost her mother at the age of 13. Her maternal grandmother, Babinesitan Traoré, who raised her, was the first to notice her talents, hearing her humming as she fetched water from the well. Her grandmother said: “This one— she will make her life a great adventure”. Immediately, Mamani took her at her word and registered for the annual Art Biennial where dance troupes and musical ensembles representing the various districts of the city competed. She won the prize for best soloist in Bamako, and thus began her musical adventure. Over the years, she has performed with the great Salif Keïta, and eventually relocated to France, where she has had the opportunity to participate in many jazz and world music projects, building an eclectic collection of recorded work.

Features on: ‘Love’, ‘Smooth’, ‘Timbuktu’, ‘Dogon’ & ‘Power’

Mali

Growing up in the cradle of the ancient kingdom of Bamanan, with its rich ancestral culture, Rokia was naturally influenced by the area’s predominant musical heritage, specifically Bamananfoly, one of the essential strains of Malian music. Affectionately nicknamed La Rose de Bamako (The Rose of Bamako), Rokia’s music is a mix of traditional Bamanandougou rhythms and modern sounds of blues, rock, jazz. Her lyrics speak powerfully of themes of unity, social cohesion and peace.

Features on: ‘Queens’, ‘Red’ & ‘Dreams’

Guinée (living in Paris)

Niariu, whose real name is Tiguidanké Diallo, is a multidisciplinary artist speaking mainly through music, songwriting, dance, and style. She is a member of the music group 9Di9, formed in December 2018. Her art is greatly influenced by her mother, who is an important figure of the Guinean Fulani community in France.

Features on: ‘Heavy’, ‘Smile’ & ‘Power’

Benin

Fafa’s musical adventure began in the arms of her Ghanaian grandmother, listening to her magical voice, surrounded by her brothers when they were children. As she grew up, she honed her vocal skills on the Cotonou music scene in Benin, and finally on an international stage with celebrities such as Mory Kanté, Lionel Richie, Faada Freddy, Hank Jones, Archie Shep, Cheick Amadou and many more. Fafa has a voice that connects soul and gospel with the traditional music of Africa, reflecting a cultural melting pot between Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso and Ghana.

Features on: ‘Fights’ & ‘Power’

Burkina Faso

Born in Côte d’Ivoire, Kandy Guira grew up in the great cultural melting pot that is the city of Abidjan. She followed her parents to Burkina Faso, where she learned her skills on the club and cabaret scene. She first emerged as a singer with Abdulaye Cisse, one of the great names of Burkinabe music, and released her debut solo EP, Tek-La-Runda, in 2019.

Features on: ‘Sister’ & ‘Power’

France

Nyokõ Bokbaē is a Parisian group formed by Cameroonian producer Bamao Yendé and singers Douranne (Boy) Fall and Magueye Diouk (Jon Grace). As children of the diaspora, they draw their inspiration from the African music repertoire, adding elements of English culture and RnB. Coming from the Boukan Records team, the three members of Nyokõ Bokbaē fiercely represent the Paris of today: unique, open and exciting.

Features on: ‘Heavy’ & ‘Power’

Mali

Aminata Drama, known as Nakou, is a Malian griot from Mouroudia, who learned music from an early age through her family. She has worked with some of the biggest names of Malian music, including Sidiki Diabate, Toumani Diabate, Basegou Kouyate and Cheick Tidiane Seik.

Features on: ‘Power’

Colombia

Nancy Murillo, like her home city of Cali in Colombia (famous for its women, the ‘calenas’) is vibrant, warm, beautiful, full of energy. She made her first steps on stage with the Troupe Tecepal from Cali and then toured throughout Colombia with the Teatro Experimental of Cali. An important step in her career was meeting the Sombres Heros, a group of young Parisian musicians who play Cumbia (the traditional music of Colombia) and she happily became the singer of the band bringing a specific sparkle and sincerity to the compositions.

Features on: ‘Power’

FRENCH GUIANA

Valérie Tribord, originally from French Guiana, is an accomplished vocalist and dancer. She has accompanied many artists from different worlds and musical genres, including Cesaria Evora, Bernard Lavilliers, Tiken Jah Fakoly, and many others.

Features on: ‘Power’

SPAIN

Marta is a singer-songwriter and actress born in Zaragoza, Spain, where she learned the art of entertainment from an early age. Upon her arrival in Paris, she performed as a singer in Latin American and Salsa music orchestras alongside work in the world of film and theatre. She has recently launched herself as a singer-songwriter in a more intimate project inspired by the Hispanic culture that saw her birth and growth as an artist.

Features on: ‘Power’

Cameroon

Patricia Essong grew up in Cameroon and from a very young age was enriched by the music and culture around her. As a young adult, she began a successful career in a management consulting firm, but the need to express herself through music never left her. After much deliberation, Patricia took the decision to launch a career as a singer, releasing her debut solo album in 2016, on which she reclaims her Bantu cultural heritage, embellishing it with her own personal music tastes.

Features on: ‘Power’

France

Moesha13, who is already an underground icon, sings, performs, mixes and creates a unique blend of French rap and hardcore with an indisputable and sunny French touch. Most of her work is inspired by Reggaeton or dancehall, and undeniably has strong links to the hybrid club culture that draws from gadjicore, Atlanta hip-hop, gabber and even trash metal during her DJ sets.

Features on: ‘Power’

Valerie Belinga is a jazz vocalist originally hailing from Cameroon, who is beginning to make a positive impression on the international music scene. Very early on, Valerie discovered Caribbean, Peruvian Indian, and South African music, and was influenced by singer Miriam Makeba, alongside her father who was master of a Gregorian choir. Her voice represents the perfect combination of jazz, sacred music and African songs.

Features on: ‘Power’

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Abby Surya began her career in 1984 in the band Les Redoutables, led by singer Abeti Masikini. Throughout the years, she has worked with internationally renowned performers such as Koffi Olomide, Papa Wemba, Pepe Kallé and So Kalmery.

Features on: ‘Power’