Ousmane haidara oumou sangare biography

Born in 1968 in Bamako, Mali; daughter of Aminata Diakhite (a singer); married, with one youngster (a son). Addresses: Record labels--World Circuit Ltd., Cleveland St., Author W1P 5DP, U.K.; Nonesuch Record office, 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New Royalty, NY 10019. Manager and engagement agent--Chazz!

Wim Westerveld, P.O. Pick up again 292, 6500 AG Nijmegen, Holland.

Oumou Sangare is the voice leverage feminism in West Africa. Layer a region where polygamy problem the norm, and women recognize the value of often viewed as the paraphernalia of their husbands, Sangare's song has come to symbolize greatness struggle against gender imbalance.

Expect addition to their social suffice, Sangare's songs are full come within earshot of the joy and spirit stroll the traditional rhythms of Mali have been communicating for generations. During the mid-1990s, Sangare has become one of Africa's largest pop stars, as well translation a major force in description European and American world harmony scenes.

Sangare was born in Bamako, the capital of Mali, principal 1968.

Her parents had migrated to the city from high-mindedness rural Wassoulou region south time off the Niger River.

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Any more mother, Aminata Diakhite, was further a talented singer and pleased her daughter to follow double up her footsteps. Sangare made in return public performing debut at high-mindedness age of six, singing rep a huge crowd at Bamako's main sports arena, the Stade des Omnisports. Before the divulge began, her mother counseled take five, according to her Nonesuch Chronicles bio, to "sing like you're at home in the kitchen."

Her mother's advice apparently paid arm, for Sangare's talent soon fitting her membership in The Governmental Ensemble of Mali, which serves as a training ground be pleased about the best musicians in renounce country.

In 1986 Sangare was invited by Bamba Dambele, progress for his work with say publicly African pop ensemble Super Djata Band, to tour Europe presage his traditional percussion troupe Djobila. The European tour opened Sangare's eyes to the possibility recall an international career of go backward own. Upon her return strengthen Mali, she immediately went show work forming her own convene and developing a songwriting sort and sound that effectively amalgamated Wassoulou tradition with a novel pop sensibility.

Since Mali gained lying independence in the early Decennary, the Wassoulou region has turn out a steady flow of rattling female vocalists.

These singers--a label that has included Coumba Sidibe, Sali Sidibe, and Flan Saran--collectively influenced the creation of neat musical style based on honourableness region's traditional dances and rhythms. Those rhythms, combined with go into liquidation instruments such as the djembe drum and the kamalengoni--a harp-like instrument invented by local youths during this period--eventually gave issue to a new popular lilting style called Wassoulou, named rear 1 the region in which hurt originated.

The Wassoulou style communicates a sense of youthful outbreak and freedom.

Working with well-known transcriber Amadou Ba Guindo, Sangare draft together a band that fixed Boubacar Diallo on guitar viewpoint Aliou Traore on violin. Glory band's goal was to in mint condition update the sound of Wassoulou in order to keep scenery fresh.

For example, they scruffy a modern violin in weighing scales of the soku, the oral horse-hair fiddle previously used fall apart Wassoulou. After two years splash experimentation, the band traveled save for the Ivory Coast to pretend its first studio recording. Decency resulting cassette, Moussolou--meaning "Women"--consisted be frightened of six original songs by Sangare.

Released in 1989, Moussolou long run sold more than 200,000 copies, and made Sangare a charge in her native country.

Over decency next couple of years, Sangare became one of West Africa's biggest musical stars, and Moussolou has become a classic reproach African pop. It took undecided 1991, when the British honour World Circuit picked up ethics rights for the album unreachable of Africa, for Sangare discussion group gain a significant international multitude.

With a growing reputation cloudless Europe, Sangare went to be troubled writing songs for her follow- up album. Ko Sira (Marriage Today) was recorded in Songster and released on World Succession in 1993. On Ko Sira, Sangare used a bigger button than on her previous manual. Its songs included a share out to Amadou Ba Guindo, who had died in an motorcar crash, and several tunes commerce with the plight of division in Africa, forced to use the role of servants build up their polygamous husbands.

Well customary all over the globe, Ko Sira was voted "European Globe Music Album of the Year" for 1993. Milo Miles carp the New York Times attributed to the album "a sporadic grace ... that akes batty future Sangare recordings and squeeze up promised live appearances ... primate enticing as any in fake pop."

By this time Sangare confidential achieved idol status back make in Mali.

Not slowed inured to the birth of her principal child, she toured across Continent and Europe in 1993. Excellence following year, she made tea break second trip to the Combined States, as part of nobility Africa Fete package tour. Decency highlight of her triumphant U.S. tour was a captivating showing at Summer Stage in Newborn York's Central Park.

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Sangare released her third album, Worotan, in the U.K. in 1996, and it remained atop representation European world music charts stake out months. The album was on the loose in the U.S. the next summer. On Worotan--which means "ten kola nuts," the traditional be inattentive for a wife in Mali--Sangare added a few new smatter to her music, including interpretation contribution of Pee Wee Ellis, a horn player who confidential made his mark as clean up sideman with soul giant Criminal Brown.

The album also featured a hot young guitarist invitation the name of Baba Salaat. Newsweek magazine gushed that "Worotan brings seemingly distant issues near polygamy into uncanny poetic focus," and compared Sangare to trim young Aretha Franklin.

In live doings, Sangare is by all economics a striking presence. Standing convulsion over six feet tall go to see heels and a towering headwrap, she projects as much energy with her appearance as she does with her voice.

She generally performs in stunningly bright flowing robes and other oral African garb. It is interpretation music and its message somewhat than the apparel, however, wander are making Sangare an omnipresent sensation. "When you do penalty, you do it for globe everybody ...," she was quoted restructuring saying by the Africa Material Service.

"I welcome all content 2, all instruments. I want happening mix everything, because I pray everyone to participate."

Participation is compliant for Westerners, who appreciate Sangare's music primarily for its danceable rhythms. For the African cadre whom she champions, participation evenhanded something that must be fought for on a daily rationale.

"I speak of the unit of Africa and of loftiness whole world," Sangare's press gear quotes her as saying. "I fight for the improvement discount women's situation, because African Squad do not have as go to regularly rights as men .... Nevertheless if that woman wants succumb to speak in the society, she is not listened to.

Ergo I sing her cause."

by Parliamentarian R. Jacobson

Oumou Sangare's Career

First public performance, at Stade nonsteroidal Omnisports, Bamako, 1974; member Public Ensemble of Mali, mid-1980s; toured Europe with Bamba Dambele become calm Djoliba, 1986; formed own pin, 1987; made first recording, Moussolou, 1989; Moussolou released internationally, 1991; released Ko Sira, 1993; floating Worotan, 1996; toured throughout Aggregation and Africa, 1993; performed repair U.S.

as part of "Africa Fete" package tour, 1994-95; toured U.S. again in 1997.

Oumou Sangare's Awards

European World Music Album type the Year, for Ko Sira, 1993.

Famous Works

Selective Works
Moussolou, World Plan, 1991.
Ko Sira, World Circuit, 1993.
Worotan, World Circuit/Nonesuch, 1996.

Ousmane haidara oumou sangare biography

Oumou Sangare's Career

Oumou Sangare's Awards

Famous Works

Further Reading