Sona Jobarteh is the first professional female Kora virtuoso to come from any of the West African Griot dynasties. Her lineage carries a formidable reputation for renowned Kora masters, most notable amongst these are her grandfather Amadu Bansang Jobarteh and her cousin, the legendary Toumani Diabaté.
Sona is reputed for her skill as an instrumentalist, her distinctive voice, infectious melodies and her grace onstage, and she has rapidly achieved international success as a top class performer.
The demand for Sona Jobarteh’s live performances has rocket in recent years, and 2019 saw her perform at some of the world’s most renowned festivals and venues such as the Hollywood Bowl in LA, WOMAD in Australia and New Zealand and Symphony Space in New York City, whilst also performing all over Europe, in China, Africa and Canada.
Sona has the unique ability to touch audiences from all over the world and from all backgrounds and cultures, whilst also commanding the attention of sitting presidents and royalty alike. Her captivating stage show has proved to be popular everywhere, and with a repertoire that exudes accessible sophistication, her audience demographic is forever expanding.
As a vocalist, Sona has featured in award-winning films such as the Hollywood movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and The First Grader – the latter winning the “Discovery of the Year” prize at the Hollywood World Soundtrack Awards in 2012.
Early Success:
Oumou Sangare recorded her first album, called Moussoulou in 1989, and it became a hit throughout Africa. This success led to her being signed with an international record label, World Circuit Records, and ultimately to international renown. She has since recorded four more albums, all of which have been critically acclaimed throughout the world, leading her to become an unofficial ambassador for Wassoulou music and a major force in African feminism.
Wassoulou Music:
Wassoulou is a geographical region (not, as is occasionally misreported, an ethnic group) of Southern Mali, Western Guinea, and Northern Cote d'Ivoire. Wassoulou music is primarily performed by female singers who are accompanied by drums, harp (either kora or related instruments), and soku (a two-stringed fiddle). Lyrics often tackle women's issues, such as marriage, motherhood, and the challenges of living in a patriarchal society.
Feminism and Outreach:
Oumou Sangare's music is strongly feminist, and frequently discusses the issues of marital choice and consent for African women, as well as the difficult topic of polygamy. She is a strong anti-FGM activist, and uses her fame to promote her strong views on women's basic human rights.
Awards and Honors:
Oumou Sangare was made a commander of the Arts and Letters of the Republic of France in 1998, won the UNESCO music prize in 2001, and was named an official ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2003. In addition, her 1993 album Ko Sira won the European award for "World Music Album of the Year."
Side Projects:
Notorious for her abundant energy, Oumou Sangare has somehow found the time to take up a number of side projects in the business world. She owns a hotel in Bamako as well as a large farm north of the city, and has partnered with a Chinese automobile company to create a car called the "Oum Sang."
