Fatoumata Diawara

Fatoumata Diawara is an acclaimed Malian singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose music draws from her ancestral Wassoulou culture, but also incorporates vibrant Afro-pop, desert blues, and a panoply of other styles. Based in France, she is also a well-known actress who had already assembled an impressive filmography before releasing her debut album, 2011's Fatou, on the World Circuit label. The album was a critical success and over the coming years she balanced her concurrent acting career with global tours, appearances at major festivals, and performing with stars ranging from Bobby Womack and the Roots to Toumani Diabaté. Her sophomore album, Fenfo (Something to Say), arrived in 2018 and was followed by collaborations with Disclosure and Gorillaz. Diawara's collaborative nature was further emphasized on 2023's London Ko, an album that featured guests like Damon Albarn, Angie Stone, and Yemi Alade.