Fatoumata Diawara - J - LIVE at Afrikafestival Hertme 2010

Performance - 10 July 2010
Malian singer Fatoumata Diawara (aka Fatou) was born of Malian parents in the Ivory Coast in 1982. As a child she became a member of her father's dance troupe and was a popular performer of the wildly flailing didadi dance from Wassoulou, her ancestral home in western Mali. She was an energetic and headstrong girl and at the age of twelve her refusal to go to school finally prompted her parents to send her to live and be disciplined by an aunt in Bamako. She was not to see her parents again for over a decade.
Her aunt was an actress, and a few years after arriving, Fatou found herself on a film set looking after her aunt's infant child. The film's director was captivated by Fatou's adolescent beauty and she was given a one line part in the final scene of the film 'Taafe Fangan' ('The Power of Women'). This led to her being given a lead role by the celebrated director Cheick Omar Sissoko in his 1999 film 'La Genèse' (Genesis).
At the age of eighteen Fatou travelled to Paris to perform the classical Greek role of Antigone on stage. After touring with the production she returned to Mali where she was given the lead in Dani Kouyaté's popular 2001 film 'Sia, The Dream of the Python'. The film tells the story of a West African legend called Sia, a young girl who defies tradition. To many in Mali, Guinea, Senegal and Burkina Faso, Fatou is Sia thanks to the film's enormous success throughout the region. Offers for further acting roles poured in but Fatou's family wanted her to settle down and marry and forced her to announce, live on Malian television, that she was abandoning her career as an actress.
In 2002 Jean-Louis Courcoult, the director of the renowned French theatre company, Royale de Luxe, travelled to Bamako to offer Fatou a part in his new production. An unmarried woman is considered a minor in Malian society so her family's permission was required. They refused. After much soul searching Fatou took the daring decision to run away and at Bamako airport she managed to board a plane for Paris, narrowly escaping the pursuit of the police who had been alerted to the girl's 'kidnapping'.
With Royal de Luxe Fatou performed a variety of roles around the world including tours in Vietnam, Mexico and throughout Europe. During rehearsals and quiet moments she took to singing backstage for her own amusement. She was overheard by the director and was soon singing solo during the company's performances. Encouraged by the reception from audiences she began to sing in Parisian clubs and cafes during breaks from touring. Here she met Cheikh Tidiane Seck the celebrated Malian musician and producer who invited her to travel with him back to Mali to work on two projects as chorus vocalist; 'Seya' the GRAMMY nominated album by Mali's star Oumou Sangaré and 'Red Earth' the GRAMMY winning Malian project by American jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. When the albums were released Fatou toured worldwide as singer and dancer with both projects.
On her return to France Fatou took the role of Karaba in the popular touring musical 'Kirikou and Karaba'. She was encouraged to take the role by her friend Rokia Traore who also inspired her to take up the guitar: "To me it was a wonderful and daring thing: a Malian girl with an acoustic guitar. Why should the guitar be only for men?" Fatou bought herself a guitar and started to teach herself, and at the same time began to write down her own compositions.

[@erikgardetemps9708]

Fatoumata est un soleil, elle irradie de l'énergie pour tous et toutes. Incroyable femme et artiste.

[@younoussasanogo8342]

Je suis très très fière d'être malien 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🦅🦅🦅🦅 Qui est fière d'être malien comme moi ?? ❤️❤️💋💋💋💋❤️♥️♥️♥️

[@mamadousalioudiallo5971]

Mohamed, un confrère depuis mon 224🇬🇳❤️🙏, Guinéens et Maliens c'est depuis le début de l'histoire mashalha 🙏 que la paix reigne entre nous

[@dunkinralph2097]

Just discovered Fatoumata's vibes,she is just fabulous.African musicians are just very natural and extremely talented 👏Much love and respect from India.

[@miriummwanaisha3728]

Sonajobaghte

[@tapilylaya4381]

Très cool musique je suis vraiment très ravi et très content c'est une fierté du Mali merci beaucoup bon vent et beaucoup de courage

[@AbdoulayeBa-tf3ff]

@@tapilylaya4381 c

[@berndhofmann752]

Fatou ist eine der besten Sängerinnen Afrikas. Und nicht die einzige tolle Sängerin von da. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@dielkeffelywele8128]

Fatoumata's talent is beyond our control.She flies very high! Higher and higher...Fatoumata is powerful.

[@shenidan2023]

She is just excellent. Love it !

[@djkissug2204]

Everytime i feel sad i watch her performances n take my stress away she's a whole mood..Love from Ugandan 🇺🇬

[@walysidibe2281]

Fatoumata diawara tu es vraiment formidable super 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱

[@nomadicphilosopher3110]

Can't help but love the dude with the shades and camcorder.....his certainly feeling Ms Diawara

[@youssefyoussef2196]

فنانة من البداية 🇲🇦❤💪💪👏👏

[@elkiws]

I came across this video and now I can't get enough of her music

[@massimilianoguidotti2360]

Super Fatou and wonderful band too. Much love and respect from Switzerland.

[@majorsnodgrassthethird5699]

It doesn't get more earthy than this.This is the human spirit expressed in its rawist form.

[@odunolafoluke2846]

A Nigerian girl loves her this much🇳🇬

[@elkamiladigital2154]

Does anyone have a video of this festival where the singer Prince Nico Mbarga also performed?

[@kazungugodrich6073]

Hertme is the best cultural show on earth!All organizers and fans of this show may you be kept safe .

[@arneliscarballosa4825]

thank you Africa for the music and your beautiful people I love you🇨🇺❤️

[@BlackRockstar-zz1sy]

😊 very good condition of this communication

[@alexdiarraa5554]

Tu fais la fierté d'Afrique

[@lunabranwen]

Bless Mali 💙🇸🇴🇸🇳🇬🇲

[@MrJesusramon]

Every day I love more and more Fatoumata. You are a great artist, extraordinary, with much soul. My respects. Salutations from Venezuela.

[@johnthaithi4957]

Fatoumata! My all time favourite musician from Africa. So much love from 🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪. Any other Kenyan/East African in the building? 🇹🇿🇺🇬🇷🇼🇧🇮🇸🇸

[@mobayle8508]

🇸🇴

[@mobayle8508]

Love from Kismayo.

[@attractionp.1185]

john thaithi , I am from Eritrea 🇪🇷 love ❤️ the song

[@kazungugodrich6073]

We are here brother

[@johnthaithi4957]

@@attractionp.1185 i truly love fatoumata. She is incredible .

[@Nebari1]

I fell in love with you Fatoumata when you played Timbuktu! 🥰💖💖

[@galadonkoro5935]

A lost of love from ethiopia👌👏👏👏👏💚💛💖

[@jones1oo7]

Anyone from Zimbabwe listening to this great musician?

[@starsareangels]

Foutamata is an African queen. A true woman. A gem.

[@peacefully10]

Thus is some mind blow'n, mental, vibrational sound from another world!!! O.M.G.. How can you stand still

[@nnedi7789]

I like her fun, charming personality. Bravo❣️

[@morydrame4787]

😘❤❤🇬🇳

[@issoufouattara4286]

Ihwirrow

[@inegsfrancis8531]

So much talent much love from Nigeria

[@TheMaxg85]

beautiful music , thank you so much! x

[@KuttyJoe]

Fatoumata Diawara is amazing. I always check for her music on youtube.

[@kiturselassie9693]

Super talented...fatoumata diawara god bless u sister

[@piyalsamarakone]

Fire! Love from Sri Lanka

[@anamaina9129]

maravillosooooo escucharla !!! bella musica que nos une como humanidad !! thanks Fotoumata !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mariediare1764]

Cette femme est magnifique 😍

[@tomsmith8543]

Mama, dibibo two of my favorites everything she does though it's just awesome. It has been a true gift a true treasure. Dallas texas :)

[@moritzmonska9912]

I wish i wouldve been there with 16 years old. Wouldnt have hesitated to dance with yall O.O

[@foronto1464]

La fierté Malienne...Vivace,joviale et dynamique...Longue vie à toi ma soeur 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱❤

[@arafatcamara5916]

Malo

[@mariusenescu6997]

Fatou is my dream musician from Africa. Corryne is a worthy helper - her background is fantastic and reveals both Fatou talent and her own. Love for Fatou and Corryne from Romania. Mohamed , the bas guitar and Tibo are also great.

[@gerardvermeer2]

I dont think Corryne is Romanian, Fatou says she is from Isles de la reunion

[@ayang461]

I'm from India..loved the music throughout

[@mulamasvideos]

Don’t understand a thing but I love the talent in the whole band

[@gastonbuffalo7720]

Very good concert.

[@sankarmukherjee9576]

Excellent performance. Please send your more singing videos. Lot's of love and good wishes to you

[@kingkuntakinteh8224]

Africans are naturally gifted greatness in our dna

[@wanjic2]

Goosebumps. Holly hell !!!

[@CBSZpoutinismvldr]

Vraiment championne femme

[@mekonnenhaftom9217]

i don't know the language !!!!!!!!!!!!! guys i cant stop listening to her music ! thank you.

[@mohamedramadanecoulibaly1403]

The language is Bambara , she is 4rom Mali

[@alusinebturay7721]

My Favorite Female vocal in Afrika. Love front Sierra Leone

[@ritastellacuestamena7035]

Fantástico, que bellas voces felicitaciones

[@pascalmsechu6874]

Mama Africa ..nakukubali sana mama...mziki mzur wa kiafrika

[@sudhakar0104]

Salima salimata salima beautiful music and people, I'm from India like fatoumata diawara songs and music even I don't understand what is the meaning of songs, and one more thing the lady who his giving chorus salima salimata.. her voice also nicely synching with music.

[@bmk2706]

I love the performance. So exciting..

[@flexpdgdembele2953]

Fatoumata Diawara Mama Africa je t'aime vive Mali Kadi trop 🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱🇲🇱

[@moussacoulibaly3067]

Flex Pdg Dembele happy

[@gamachubeyena2628]

Fatoumata Diawara performance artists skills she got's some reggae vibes lives feeling like legendary Star Bob Marley's.

[@merinbaby8312]

Energetic perfomance... 👌👍🥰

[@mercielmasialukeba6436]

Beautiful voice lovely melodies 😍😍😍

[@pulengmatlala9489]

Beautiful

[@rajendraravi685]

Energetic song🥰🥰

[@saranrabiebna4773]

form thailand สุดยอดๆ🤘

[@lamindanjo5722]

Much love from Gambia

[@quebeckromeovictor]

What a charismatic woman!

[@nnedi7789]

Dion Kamil , indeed she is. Cheers🦋

[@berndhofmann752]

Elle est dans la Tradition des griots au Mali! Une griote moderne.❤❤❤❤❤

[@nf4evamama207]

Mali 🇲🇱 est fiert de toi

[@CK-jo9im]

this is pure art.....masterclass

[@AlaskanAndie]

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE BEAUTIFUL SOUNDS!!!

[@shekugerewou2879]

Great music and wonderful audiences

[@gawraar1]

very good music and African style on future of African children

[@kaloucoulibaly8286]

Let me tell you today I'm ur fan's even 100 years to go

[@theman8070]

I once met her spoke to her, after when she is gone I remembered who she was but then too late

[@aichaladiva3044]

J'adore trooo cette vidéo je passé ma journée a la regardé

[@abdoutraore3100]

Cool 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@fatumanuru1666]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@nikojonkins5721]

C'est ma première fois que je la vois et du coup je l'aime énormément.

[@felicerosser5400]

Preach sis. Beautiful.

[@yahyatandia9205]

Vraiment c est émotionnel

[@almircostarequiao6538]

Muito Linda... adorei Sua energia Fatoumata de ritmo musical.

[@zerizerkhoudir3838]

Fatoumata diawara est une grande dame. À elle seule,elle incarne l'Afrique.

[@maquisnoah6408]

Rien a dire Jah blesd you Fatoumata from Cameroun🇨🇲 one love

[@user-gt3jp1ft3c]

最高！

[@sukeshnayak5615]

Part of it reminded me of Rumba and Lingala too. Great singing. Love from India

[@bamba2422]

artiste que Jai aimé de tout mon cœur ces la diva de la musique malienne Fatou bon vent ma sœur

[@agonpicdagouprotogone3358]

Quelles bénédictions divines de donner beaucoup de joie aussi aisément! Bravo Madame Fatoumata Diawara!

[@Sunil5291]

Beautifully performed.......enthralling....

[@zarasir2417]

Love of my heart

[@luciamndzleyva]

me encanta todos somos hermanos y nos podemos conectar por la música y lo que la música trasmite es maravilloso.

[@timeless.0125]

Long life to cultural diversity ❤

[@Sam21122]

Bravo Fatou tu es génial , les musiciens extra , Corine trop cool

[@gaignierisabelle1409]

Afrique de l'Ouest je t'aiiiime !!!!

[@beauvillelena5084]

et le reste de l Afrique noir on en fait quoi Afro descendante?

[@gaignierisabelle1409]

@@beauvillelena5084 looool! Et bien comme le reste sauf que moi c'est à Ouaga ;) et Brazza ;) que se porte mon cœur ... naître sur la terre rouge fut ma chance ... Bonne journée Lena

[@nikojonkins5721]

@@gaignierisabelle1409 ont aime aussi

[@vinodparihar5246]

Superb performance ❤

[@sleanoj63]

Too much ❤ the voice.....

[@osvaldochantre9411]

capverdiene...Fatoumata Diawara est simplement extraordinaire!!!!

[@prosantaghosh2195]

thank u mam.....wonnderful show....thanks to all musican.....

[@mehmetcetinbeke9155]

❤️🇹🇷

[@attractionp.1185]

This beautiful song just sounds like East Mama Africa song, such as, Ethiopian Eritrean Somalian .................

[@truthrights6140]

Omg.. I love her. She's gorgeous too. The music is 💥🔥🔥

[@TheClenzo]

मजा आ गया, अति उत्तम 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼❤️❤️❤️🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

[@seydoukeita6165]

Très talentueuse Fatoumata on est fier de toi

[@markisskajellafetti]

joyous tears on my face........ Love to all

[@kaloucoulibaly8286]

Hi when she smiling like her talk with me all the time, that why I can't stop to listing her song

[@traceyisanya]

Love from Kenya