Oumou Sangaré (Mali)
The diva of Wassoulou

Born in Bamako in 1968, Oumou Sangaré draws on traditional songs from southern Mali to convey a powerful message against polygamy and forced marriages. Her powerful debut album and pan-African hit Moussolou (1990) brought her to the attention of the global music scene and following albums Ko Sira (1993), Worotan (1996) and Seya (2009), which was nominated for a Grammy, made sure she stayed there. In 2010, she won a Grammy for her collaboration on Herbie Hancock's album The Imagine Project. Winner of the UNESCO Prize (2001) and Goodwill Ambassador of the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, she received the Rolf Schock Prize in 2024. On Spotify, her 410,000 monthly listeners and over 150 million streams demonstrate her audience’s loyalty. From the stages of Sydney to the Paris Philharmonic, the artist embodies a rare encounter between living tradition and universal message. With her spellbinding voice, committed stance and consistent success, she continues to be one of the great icons of contemporary world music.