Fatoumata Diawara: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
Abby O'Neill | February 3, 2022
Fatoumata Diawara is a true multi-hyphenate - an esteemed Malian singer, songwriter and actress who left her home country at 19 to pursue her artistry in France. By way of Como, Italy, she delivers a riveting performance alongside her bandmates, many of whom have toured with her since 2018. The guitarist and keyboardist here - Yacouba Kone and Arecio Smith - both contributed to her Grammy-nominated album, Fenfo.
Rich, textured guitars complement her native Bambara vocals and bring a contemporary feel to her traditional Malian sound. These renditions are sonically disparate from her album versions. On "Kanou Dan Yen," Fatoumata's captivating and calming aura is as contagious as her electric smile. "Nterini" is a touching ode to her lover about how distance creates enormous heartache. Fatoumata ends her set on a vibrant note with "Negue Negue," an uptempo Afrobeat jam with rambunctious rhythm and spirit.
SET LIST
"Kanou Dan Yen"
"Nterini"
"Negue Negue"
MUSICIANS
Fatoumata Diawara: vocals, guitar
Yacouba Kone: guitar
Juan Finger: bass
Arecio Smith: keys
Yves William Ombe Monkama: drums, percussion
CREDITS
Production: Montuno Producciones y Eventos, S.L
Audio Recording: Andrea Fognini & Davide Lasala at Edac Studio, Como Italy
Video Recording: OLO Creative Farm
Director of Photography: Paolo Volonté
Editing: Juan Gomez de Mello at Verano TV
Sound Engineers: Andrea Fognini, Davide Lasala
Mixing & Mastering: Tomi Pérez
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Abby O'Neill
Video Producer: Joshua Bryant
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Sofie Hernandez-Simeonidis
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#fatoumatadiawara #nprmusic #tinydesk

[@fatoumatadiawara_]

Thank you NPR and Tiny Desk for this opportunity! Much loveeeee

[@dittagecoeco2738]

Ciao Fatou!!!

[@tochiagu]

Saw you live in NY just before the pandemic hit! One of my best concerts!

[@otegadamagic]

I was kinda hoping for "sowa" on the set list. Such a wonderful song both sound and lyrics. Love from nigeria

[@victorialee3810]

1Thank you for sharing your beautiful using and spirit. Perfect way to start a day

[@Thataussiebattler]

Well deserved!!

[@roseartspoonbill477]

I'm convinced this woman is made of pure magic.

[@matildecosta605]

Magick with a k

[@ylimerivers]

10000%

[@liselthomas9507]

I thought the same thing myself.

[@franetoblues]

Of course. Yessssssssssssss...

[@buttergurls6401]

Facts

[@oj321go]

I can't believe I'm seeing Fatoumata on Tiny Desk!! I love her so much and I'm so glad to see her getting the exposure she deserves.

[@uchennolim7989]

she has been long overdue to be on Tiny Desk... Fatoumata is an under rated legend. Thanks Tiny Desk for bringing her music to the world.

[@atoexodus]

This is the Africa sound!! Love from Ethiopia!

[@SvneleSings_]

One thing about Fatoumata? She will move you with her voice and finish you off with her guitar 😮‍💨🔥

[@staffanolofsson8201]

The guitarist Yacouba Kone is phenomenal!

[@MrWumbologist]

I was going to comment this; dude's got (tasteful, song-serving) chops!

[@celticgodsoriginal]

TWO great guitarists here, what a pleasure

[@mdbergfeld]

what is he exactly do in the first song? is he just playing the same arpeggio over and over? it sounds amazing.

[@staffanolofsson8201]

@@mdbergfeld Yes you are right: "An arpeggio (Italian: [arˈpeddʒo]) is a type of broken chord, in which the notes that compose a chord are played or sung in a rising or descending order." So the Bible says. I think he is playing these arpeggios extremely good.

[@CheifR0cka]

For those who don't know, she does Nterini on COLORS, that's how I discovered her, and it too is an incredible performance.

[@lisemzarate4029]

She did a collaboration with Gorillaz not long ago, called Desole' from the Song Machine album if anyone is curious 💜

[@carlapinheiro3542]

Thanks 🙏

[@me-zb7qm]

That's my favorite song off Song Machine. She's amazing.

[@bobwalshe1508]

Savage tune 👍

[@Keveon_]

love that song

[@goofoffchannel]

AND a song with Bobby Womack on his last album, wholly produced by Damon Albarn

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Kanou Dan Yen* 6:54 / 7:27 - *Nterini* 12:20 - *Negue Negue* [18:14 - Tiny Desk team]

[@monicaadams4951]

Thank you for this as I wanted to know the name of each song!

[@nokulungadlomo1122]

😭😭😭that version of N’tereni hits hard👌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 One of the best vocals in Africa🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@Peighter]

Nterini is a song I want to hear from today until my last breath, what a vibe😭

[@romilrh]

She makes music look so effortless

[@rogerhewitt1196]

She's one of the wonders of the world! I love her, pure music and energy and (mostly) cheer and beautiful

[@january2798]

And she can play the guitar...whoa...

[@GidiSegal]

Please get Sonah Jobarteh on Tiny Desk!!!!

[@wyndgrove9452]

A great live band is like a microcosm of what human societies should be like - everyone lifitng each other up, and working together to get it done and to accomplish something beautiful. Love it.

[@artofgreenpath974]

Beautifully said!

[@MsMusicman001]

Africans are great at playing funk music! I like it👋👋👋👍👍😊

[@barrysmith8920]

How can a woman be this beautiful!?!She IS music 🌹 The band so incredible! The audio engineering so insane! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@annekekapteyn7767]

I got to see her live once - I was absolutely blown away. What a singular talent.

[@LGnLA]

EXACTLY!!!💯 💯 💯 💯

[@toobossforchuck]

this is so good!!! also please NPR could you please stop allowing ads to play right in the middle of songs 😭😭😭😭

[@modibosamake2769]

Mali puissanci 🇲🇱🇲🇱a magne deh 🥰🥰 Love you ❤️❤️

[@otegadamagic]

One of Africa's finest export. Surprised "Sowa" was not on the set list. Thats one of my favorite songs. Gotta love Fatoumata

[@Jesusisnothere]

Same!

[@rabarsabah8140]

sowa is incredibly good my fav aswell, but this live negue negue gave me chills all over again.

[@mohamedhashi3604]

Finally someone said it! Top tier song 🤌🏼

[@kaxn]

Seeing her live in Oslo on the 6th of November. Can't friggin' wait ! :D

[@dariopaladins6758]

One Love from Italy... Free Mali 🔥🇲🇱

[@jacobzaranyika9334]

Thank you🙏 AFRICA I will watch this later.

[@dmairs72]

Just lovin all the different genres of music on NPR and Tiny Desk!

[@rimbaud0000]

Yeah it really is great.

[@NotYourTypicalNegro]

The fact that she is playing a Gibson SG is freakin awesome!

[@awrebyawe]

Not just for rockers and ACDC wannabes 😂😂

[@JackHeadlamBJA]

I don't think I've seen an SG suit someone so well, it looks so right on her for some reason.

[@bigbromiki1]

@@awrebyawe lots pf people play sgs, its gibsons best seller for a reason

[@NotYourTypicalNegro]

@@bigbromiki1 I know people play SGs, which is why I mentioned it. And it's a best seller because it came out in the early 60's. The bottom line is you don't see many professional musicians in performances playing SGs, particularly over the last 50 years or so where it's been identified heavily with hard rock/heavy metal. And you DEFINITELY don't see many women at all playing it. In fact, I've 50-something and I've NEVER seen a woman playing a Gibson SG.

[@omeldoid]

@@NotYourTypicalNegro check out julie doiron doing her singer-songwriter thing with an sg

[@staffanolofsson8201]

"Let´s do good, let´s have fun Africa, let´s have fun Mali, Africa let´s have fun! Africa!" she sings in her last song. And I believe she is right, we all need fun and hope.

[@enkilqc]

I had the privilege of seeing her live on a beautiful summer day a couple of years ago in Quebec, it was amazing! I still remember to this day her wild dance at the end, contagious energy and smile!

[@rimbaud0000]

The sound is always so good on these concerts! Props to the sound engineers.

[@solssun]

She radiates beauty & joy. Amazing as always 🙏🏻

[@nilye6309]

Definitely

[@miccopassaro]

She got Charisma, a beautiful voice and she is a very good guitarist as well. What else do you want?

[@meyochi1]

All my worries fade away when I’m listening to this beautiful music. The world is in harmony.

[@TheOnlyCathyCat]

Oh my word!...... What a truly remarkable lady , what a tight band too. If I ever have the great fortune to see them live I am going to need someone to hold me up because this truly is breathtaking. When they reach those peaks, I can feel it penetrating right to my marrow.

[@omeldoid]

Love that bass

[@oghenerodansunday2599]

from my heart i 💞 dis woman engine bcuz I'm from Africa to 🌍 Nigeria

[@albertozaffonato1325]

One of the best artist out there!

[@grethi8110]

You ain't lying

[@liliannapedroni9833]

Wow, I'm blown away! She is amazing and the whole band looks so happy to be playing with her :)

[@isintufilms]

I cant believe I see this now after I watch my other favorite Thandiswa Mazwayi. I Love Fatoumata Diawara so much... Much love from South Africa 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@hawkzulu5671]

That does it.. im moving to Africa.

[@autumnstoptwo]

oh i LOVE how she reworked the songs for ths set! Nterini is one of my favorites off of Fenfo, but this rendition was really fun as well! the way Fatou shreds on the guitar in the first song takes the cake for me though! 💗💗 so glad y’all brought these incredible artists to the stage!

[@ginasta7575]

I remember listening to her on COLORS so happy she's here

[@HeshimaMoja]

I would LOVE to play for Fatoumata

[@mojojojo5372]

The thumbnail caught my eye, I do not regret clicking on it. Am now a fan, thank you Fatoumata Diawara & Tiny Desk 🙏

[@LostStoriesMusic]

the solo riff at 11:45 is absolute magic!

[@GregoryPearsonMusic]

I loved that part, but my favorite is the extended break at around 16:20 that moves to another style break, and back to the original song theme. That was intense and awesome - Fatoumata's voice creates most of that intensity, but also her arrangment.

[@paulosimoes5728]

Fatoumata Diawara.Obrigado mil vezes por existires e alegrares as nossas vidas

[@talecomarreco]

braseeelllll

[@rosalindaedwards1953]

I am so in LOVE with Ms. Fatoumata and her beautiful sound. She is a gem and must be protected at all costs.

[@berndhofmann752]

Für mich einen der größten künstlerinnwn Afrikas heute. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@creatorje9286]

I don't understand the language, but it's good to hear. Love her music. 🤗

[@erinflanagan316]

Who else has been waiting for this forever??😍

[@davidhatcher8665]

She's playing the guitar as good as anyone on the planet at this moment I can name one or two as good but not one playing any better!

[@Maroshee]

I love the dummer's tiny fills and details. Overall, nice groove from the whole band.

[@focagrl]

i’ve been listening to her for so long not knowing what her songs are about, not only is this a spectacular performance but seeing the translation was great too

[@sametrianetsanet]

OMG! She is a beautiful Queen! ❤️🖤💚

[@steveforst5163]

I love the West African influence! God bless you sister, Thanks for your musical contribution

[@rossnoble6364]

I bought Fatoumata's Fenfo album after hearing her on Giles Peterson on 6music and enjoyed it a lot but watching this has absolutely blown me away, she rocks! Always love a Gibson SG too! Keep smiling girl

[@petergriffiths4846]

Best smile in the world!

[@humanmike6537]

Elegant shredding ! A queen!

[@fabcillo]

Fatou, the Tiny Desk (Home) Concert I was waiting for since years, is now on air!!!!!! Thank you for your music

[@DrDarkStar68]

I CANNOT WAIT to see this woman and her band when she comes to Portland next month! This music is amazing!

[@heatherwilliamee]

We listen to Gorillaz "Desole" in my house a lot. SO COOL to catch more of Miss Diawara's œuvre. We do hope she visits Tiny Desk again! AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH That guitar solo is EVERYTHING.

[@bluecatt0rso]

노래도 흥겹고 기타 연주도 어마무시하네요... 이 채널 덕분에 다양하고 멋진 음악을 접할 수 있어서 너무 좋습니다ㅎㅎ

[@AQGOAT24]

I first heard of her on the disclosure Mali Mali song and have been a fan ever since. Amazing artist

[@barrysmith8920]

Such great and wonderful music! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 How can a woman be SO BEAUTIFUL?!?!?! 😍🥰😍🥰😘

[@CriseExistentielleGaming]

She is so beautiful

[@dotti_thedeity]

Been waiting for this….such a delight. I’m your biggest fan in Lagos. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@williamaraujo9840]

This band, This singer are UNIQUE, GENUINELY TALENTED AND FULL OF IDENTITY, STYLE AND ART TO THE EARS AND EYES

[@mbali9311]

This is long awaited! What a phenomenal African ambassador, collaborator and all-round fantastic human and musician. I’m always excited to see anything Fatoumata does. 🙌🏿💛💛💛

[@stevehughes975]

Well that put a smile on my face!! If you can sit still for this you just might be dead. Thanks Tiny Desk!

[@Funke76]

🗣️ I'm so proud of this Queen!!! 👑 🖤 💎 🇲🇱 She deserves the world!! 🙌🏾 💖

[@catchmeifyoucan1095]

I’m so happy for Fatou, she’s so amazing and destined for more success 💓

[@MrPaolomarley]

What a great performance, Fatoumata Diawara¡¡¡¡ regards from Bolivia.

[@jackbeaumont3746]

We’ve been waiting for this to happen and it’s been worth the wait

[@malcomtafira5697]

No idea what they're singing about in Ntereni but I listen to this song so often. I LOVE IT! That guitar does it for me all the time.

[@farahmoore5897]

For some reason my video has subtitles. It’s about a love who went away to another place suddenly, wanting to see him again and wondering if he’ll ever return

[@malcomtafira5697]

@@farahmoore5897 I didn’t know I could switch them on. Thanks for the heads up. I love it.

[@farahmoore5897]

@@malcomtafira5697 yeah neither did I! For some reason it was just on, on her video. It was nice seeing what she was singing about

[@harmonykieding]

This is absolutely fantastic. SHE is absolutely fantastic. The band is amazing, and my whole spirit picked up. Thanks, from Harmony!

[@faustokraftwerk434]

Everytime! Fantastic live shhows Fatoumata!

[@sarabruxada]

I was waiting for this! I still remember her concert in Venice... what an energetic bomb! Bless from Italy

[@fatoumatadiawara_]

Thanks Sara!!

[@sarabruxada]

@@fatoumatadiawara_ Thanks Fatou, you are such a big inspiration!🙏🏾

It's always a pleasure to listen to the Queen! Congrats NPR! Keep it up!

[@nataliaberra4050]

Enhorabuena ♥️preciosa✨Gracias 🌹Amor desde Argentina

[@najibelmdaghri3476]

Amazing artist, love the style bogolan/SG Gibson!

[@terriespann4800]

All of the musicians are carrying their own weight...beautiful rhythms...Thank you Fatoumata Diawara.

[@FFPages]

had the opportunity to see Fatoumata Diawara in concert (in Pittsburgh) I was in awe all evening. beautiful.

[@calvinlee8103]

This is wonderful, just wonderful.

[@novasrealidades1074]

The whole band radiates beauty and joy. What a pleasure to watch!

[@lrakllinsoc1713]

Yesyesyes, so happy this has finally happened! Such an incredible musician & my lord her band is tiiiight!

[@tulikukka1043]

So nice to have subtitles!

[@theachomeabidjan]

Afro Pop is so magic ... Try see TAKEIFA from senegal , malians VIEUX FARKA , FATOUMATA DIAWARA , togolese KING MENSAH , Ivorian JOHN KIFFY , Nigerian BRYMO and so ❤

[@mikey2x272]

beautiful sound, all praise to the ancestors . ASE

[@austindandridge]

Incredible- transcendent voice and playing. What a joy to watch

[@MariaDalmasetto]

wow the musicians are amazing

[@annac9668]

Seen her live and it was absolutely amazing🤩

[@jessgirr1728]

Same! I was buzzin, her energy is truly divine 😍💫

[@SamuelPeretta]

Fatoumata is a amazing artist, very happy to see and hear on this jam!

[@hawkzulu5671]

OMG ...that was Incredible !

[@captikus78]

Wow, this is great - that first tune sounds so cheerful, wouldn't have had a clue it was a break-up song till I read the subtitles...

[@CHRISTChrysalisInManhaim]

Wow me either 😁 I guess they left it on good terms😆

[@fakeaccount663]

love Fatoumata, featured on some huge tracks and her own music is wonderful in its own right.

[@maazvdo]

What a pearl! Thanks for share NPR.

[@rylands4289]

A beautiful voice! Radiant energy! I've been watching alot of Fatoumata's songs after seeing her feautured at Gorillaz! Wonderful artist to showcase at TinyDesk! ❤️🎉✨

[@yureadyfrankiej4087]

And your band is dope!!

[@ateliematheuscrespo]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. A Lot of love from Brazil, ur song makes us feel alive. Our ancestors are happy

[@hanaxochitl]

the vibe is just like sunshine on a rainy day. Loved the outfit!

[@jacobzaranyika9334]

Thank you🙏 Mali.

[@chorrellpique4057]

First time I ever heard her was on the track with Disclosure. Loved it and played it on repeat for days, nice to see some more of her here on Tiny Desk ☺️