Les Amazones d’Afrique announce new album ‘Amazones Power’

Out on 24 January 2020, the album will see a number of new voices join the collective, whose objective is to use music as a driving force in the campaign for gender equality and an end to violence against women and girls.

Amongst the featured vocalists on the album are Fafa Ruffino (Benin), Kandy Guira (Burkina Faso), Niariu (France/Guinea), and Nacera Ouali Mesbah (Algeria). They are joined by Mamani Keïta and Rokia Koné from Mali, singers who were central to the first album.

Les Amazones d’Afrique’s new single ‘Smile’ features Niariu (the youngest member of the collective) on lead vocals, with a guest contribution by Mali’s biggest female rapper, Ami Yerewolo.

Singing in both French and English, Niariu encourages women to stick together in the fight against inequality, hoping for a better future, ‘full of joy and perspective’, whilst Yerewolo’s rap speaks of unapologetic female independence in a male-dominated genre.

For the first time, the group has also worked with male vocalists. Douranne (Boy) Fall and Magueye Diouk (Jon Grace) from Paris-based outfit Nyoko Bokbae join Niariu on the opening track ‘Heavy’, whilst Bamako musician Amadou Dembélé, who plays djembe on several tracks, lends his voice to two songs with Mamani Keïta, ‘Timbuktu’ and ‘Dogon’.

“The new generations are rising against traditions, especially in Africa,” says Fafa Ruffino. “So, you have many young men in women’s right associations, going door to door to inform the youngest. So it’s completely fair to have them on board with us. Nyoko Bokbae are incredible; the messages they have are strong and energizing.”

Read more about the album

Amazones Power is out on 24 January 2020. Les Amazones d’Afrique will showcase the album with performances at London’s Jazz Café, The Cocacapabana in New York City (as part of GlobalFest) and Celtic Connections in Glasgow, alongside a nationwide tour of France in Spring 2020. Full tour information and tickets available here.

Pre-order ‘Amazones Power’