Fatoumata Diawara

Fifteen years after her debut “Fatou” (World Circuit), Fatoumata Diawara has firmly established herself as a major presence on the international music scene, with two Grammy nominations and collaborations with artists such as Gorillaz and Disclosure. Born in Abidjan and raised in Bamako, the singer and guitarist began her career as a film actress before turning to music in 2011. Since then, she has performed at renowned festivals including Glastonbury Festival and Montreux Jazz Festival, and has shared the stage with international artists such as Roberto Fonseca, Damon Albarn and Paul McCartney. Described by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung as a “multi-talented artist with ambition,” Diawara moves effortlessly between continents and genres, singing in her native Bambara. Her new album “Massa”, which will be released in May on the Paris-based label Nø Førmat! and was co-created with French musician Matthieu Chedid (aka “M”), is her most personal work to date. On it, Diawara explores themes ranging from political resistance to her life as a daughter, mother and artist. Musically, “Massa” is rooted in her home country of Mali, blending West African traditions with pop, electronic music, and rhythmic influences drawn from Afrobeat and jazz. In doing so, Fatoumata Diawara reaffirms her place as one of the most vital voices in West African music - live in one of three Summer Festival concerts with the Elbphilharmonie.