Grammy Award-winning Malian singer Oumou Sangaré, known as ‘The Songbird of Wassoulou’, will be performing at this year’s Stockholm Jazz Festival. Known for her intricate vocals, joyous rhythms and melodies, and powerful messages of freedom and empowerment, Oumou has been an international success since the tender age of 21 when she realised her first album, Moussolou (‘Women’).

Omou has had a varied and multi-faceted career, from collaborating with fellow African stars such as Femi Kuti and winning the UNESCO International Music prize in 2001, to becoming both a successful businesswoman and women’s rights advocate.

KRULL magazine had the opportunity to interview Oumou and find out more about the experiences that have shaped her both as the musician and person she is today.

How do you feel your experiences growing up in Mali have shaped not only your music but your life, especially in such a talented family with your mother Aminata Diakité and your cousin Omar Sangaré?

My entire life has been surrounded by music and the talents I had at home. For me, growing up in that ambience was totally natural, as was starting to sing in public at a very early age. Mali is indeed a very musical country where music has a big role, and is in many aspects of everyone’s life, accompanying us in relevant moments and also educating the society.

You released your first album Moussolou when you were only 21 – how did you cope with the almost immediate success?

I was already a bit used to it, at least in Bamako and later in all of Mali, but then it extended to the rest of West Africa and then all of Africa, which was a big thing to me. My family was always around me and in particular my mom’s tips were so helpful to not lose my head. It became common to me to play a lot, even out there in Europe and America where I was part of some Malian groups and my own albums started being released there too.

What advice would you give to other black artists who hope to introduce cultural music to a wider audience?

I would just say to keep true to your origins – our own culture is so ancient and strong that it has enough to be attractive out there.
Then you can be curious in music, and remember that it is all about where your experiences bring you, the people you choose to work with, and where your inspiration and your paths take you. You must be who you are and if you have something special you must work hard and never give up, you must love this [musical career] a lot and bring that love to others.

Your music seems to focus on female empowerment, love, social criticism etc. How much do your own experiences influence your work?

A lot, I must recognise that life was hard at the beginning and when I was a child my family struggled a lot to have something to eat. You can´t forget something like this when it happens, it is really there forever. I try to help others out through my own experience, if there is something I can tell them that will help, or something I can do, I will work for it until the end of my energies.

We are seeing a revolution in Africa concerning matters such as FGM, child marriage, women’s rights etc. You are so well known for your philanthropic works, how much further do you feel we need to go?

Those issues are still very common – even if there is a fight against them and a work to raise awareness, we must keep going until those practises become illegal. In many countries they still aren’t and people still don’t understand we can’t be and act in this way. We need more women empowerment and more women in power, we are in many aspects more efficient and humane so men also need us there to work together for a better world.

You’re also multi-talented – a musician, a philanthropist, a business women – how do you manage all your commitments?

With many efforts I must say (laughs), I’m in need of some holidays… Well I always think I have a gift and when life gives you a good opportunity, you must share it with others and be constant. There is so much to do that I’m always thinking about what’s next, it is in my nature.

This week we are happy to have you performing at the Stockholm Jazz Festival – will you be performing songs from your latest album Mogoya? What was the inspiration behind this album?

Yes we are performing lots of songs from “Mogoya”, my new album just released in May, and we have to spread the word. I have a fantastic new band, they are wonderful and we will bring you a piece of Africa.
In the album I talk about today’s humanity and show we are losing respect for each other. There must be more love between us and so I want you to come and dance with us.

Your personal style is bold, adventurous, colourful, and I think – joyous!

Thank you! Well I always try to enjoy life and my music [and fashion] must be full of joy too!

words – Yinka Lawson

photo – Benoit Peverelli