OUMOU SANGARÉ AT WROCLOVE FEST

21 JUNE 2018

Oumou Sangaré is a Malian singer with an incredible voice, one of Africa's most important artists of all time. She embodies femininity, elegance, determination and independence. Her magnificent, authoritative voice makes her work impossible to ignore.

‘She is Muhammad Ali among the African divas in the ring. The best! She stings like a butterfly, flies like a bee!’ joked Womex director Christoph Borkowsky as he presented the singer with the prestigious award at the fair.

“I dedicate this award to all African women and to African people in general. They always encourage me to sing and write songs,” said Oumou in thanks, before beginning a concert nobody would ever forget. But all her concerts are like that. She is deeply involved in social work in Africa and cooperation with the UN. For twenty-one years, she has spoken openly about subjects considered taboo in Mali. Above all, she opposes polygamy, a social order that disadvantages women in Africa.

“I need music to live. Without music, I'm nothing. I hope I send messages that speak to people. Life is hard. The world is in trouble. My job is to bring people joy and, above all, the power to build peace. I sing to give them strength and courage.”

She has performed with many well-known artists, including Tracy Chapman, Femi Kuti and Alicia Keys. She took part in Herbie Hancock’s Imagine Project.

On stage, she wears stunning, colourful dresses in a traditional African style, paired with high heels from Paris, which she kicks off during concerts. Strings of beads, earrings, bracelets. And, on top of that, impossibly long nails painted blue.