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Fenfo

23/05/2018Malian Singer Fatoumata Diawara Set To Release 2nd Solo Album
 

It's been seven years since the acclaimed Malian chanteuse Fatoumata Diawara put forth her mesmerising debut solo project "Fatou". This Friday, she releases her much anticipated follow-up "Fenfo" (Something To Say), including 11 new tracks, co-produced by Diawara herself alongside singer/songwriter/guitarist Matthieu Chedid, alias –M–, a superstar in his native France, who recently won the "Best World Music Album" award at the French Grammys for his "Lamomali" project, which also featured Fatoumata. 

Internationally recognised "as one of the most beautiful voices of modern African music", Fatoumata Diawara has collaborated with the the likes of Damon Albarn, Amadou and Mariam, Bobby Womack, Herbie Hancock and Cuban pianist Roberto Fonseca in the past years and now returns, blending Wassoulou and other traditional Malian genres with elements of funk-rock, soul, blues, afropop and afrobeat elements to underline her messages on "Fenfo". "Above all, her goal is to inspire young Malians, and young people everywhere, to take matters into their own hands." (via Afropop)

Earlier this week, UK dance duo Disclosure sampled Fatoumata Diawara on their newest track "Ultimatum", which you can stream here. Below you can feast your eyes and ears on the stunning video to Diawara's swinging lead single "Nterini", created by Ethiopian photographer and artist Aïda Muluneh. "The video was shot in the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia. Aïda Muluneh was inspired by Afro-futuristic aesthetics, as well as visual elements borrowed from the Dogons, a Malian ethnic group." (via PAM). But before you do, feel free to watch the trailer to "Nterini" here. For a detailed list of tour dates and a show in a city near you, check her website

AUTHOR: Lev Nordstrom