Fatoumata Diawara
The music of singer, guitarist and actress Fatoumata Diabaté originates from the Wassoulou region. Diawara carries the voice of the young African woman: proud of her heritage, but with a vision that’s full of optimism towards the future. Beauty of life is subject of her songs, next to the everyday problems young women like her still have to face. Fatoumata is a real presence onstage: a powerful, young African musician whose star is still rising.
Malinese singer Fatoumata Diawara broke through internationally in 2011 with her debut “Fatou”. This album was daring and innovative, without losing sight of traditional African influences. In 2018, her second studio album “Fenfo (Something to Say)” came out, in which she made another innovative step without losing sight of her roots. Since her successful debut and sophomore album, she has also collaborated with artists like Herbie Hancock, Roberto Fonseca, Toumani Diabaté, Disclosure, Yael Naim and Bassekou Kouyaté. In 2023, she released a towering magnum opus called “London Ko”. On this album, she invited tons of guest musicians, including Damon Albarn (Gorillaz) and Angie Stone. In the spring of 2025, as part of the LAMOMALI collective, Diawara brought a beautiful ode to Mali culture called “Totem”. On this release, she collaborated with tons of guest musicians and singers, including French rock star -M- and kora player Balla Diabaté, son of kora legend Toumani Diabaté, who passed away in 2024.
