Fatoumata Diawara Drops “London Ko” on May 12
Grammy-nominated Malian singer, songwriter, guitarist and actress Fatoumata Diawara’s highly anticipated new album London Ko is slated for release May 12 via Wagram Music; pre-order/pre-save the record HERE. With the new album, Diawara continues to reinvent traditional African music, combining her Mandinka roots with afrobeat, jazz, pop, electronic and hip hop influences. That synthesis is reflected even in the album’s title, combining the names of the Western metropolis of London with that of the Malian capital of Bamako.
On London Ko Diawara combines forces with collaborator Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur) who co-produces a number of tracks on the album and is featured performing on the first single, “Nsera,” which is out now to critical acclaim from Pitchfork, Stereogum, okayafrica., WNYC, the Object of Sound podcast and more. Diawara notes, “For me, London Ko means opening your mind. It also represents Damon Albarn’s connection to Malian music.” London Ko, a neologism coined by Diawara, represents an imagined continent bringing Europe and Africa together. While holding on to traditions, Diawara’s music gives a prophetic vision of what Africa can do. She invents an alternative space and time where it is possible to become master of your own destiny. Positioning herself as an actor in a future world, this album raises Diawara into the ranks of the great voices of Afrofuturism.
In celebration of the new music, Diawara is set for a run of U.S. shows in select cities in April. The dates include performances at New York’s Brooklyn Bowl, Seattle’s Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, Inglewood’s The Miracle Theater and Northampton’s BOMBYX Center For Arts & Equity. See below for full tour routing. Diawara broke out in 2011 with her debut album, Fatou, which featured guest performances from legendary musicians John Paul Jones, Tony Allen and Toumani Diabaté. The record was hailed by Pitchfork as a “beguiling album” that “simply surrounds you with its atmosphere,” while The Guardian praised it as “an enjoyable, impressive set.” She received two nominations at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for Best World Music Album for her 2018 album Fenfo and Best Dance Recording for “Ultimatum” in which she was featured with the English artist Disclosure.
One of 11 children born to Malian parents in Ivory Coast, Diawara grew up in the ’90s in the Malian capital of Bamako. A celebrated child actor, Diawara starred in Dani Kouyaté’s critically acclaimed 2001 film Sia, The Dream of the Python. At age 19 she left home against the wishes of her family and joined the French street theater company Royale de Luxe, with whom she toured the world and began singing in the clubs and cafes of Paris. Diawara eventually found herself singing backing vocals for Dee Dee Bridgewater and Malian superstar Oumou Sangaré before signing with influential label World Circuit Records for her debut album. In addition to Sia…, Diawara’s film credits include the Academy Award-nominated Timbuktu, Morbayassa and Clouds of Conakry, as well as the documentaries The Africa Express and Mali Blues.
TRACK LIST
LONDON KO
- Nsera (feat. Damon Albarn)
- Somaw (feat. Angie Stone)
- Sete
- Seguen
- Massa Den (feat. -M-)
- Mogokan (feat. M.anifest)
- Blues (feat. Roberto Fonseca)
- Moussoya
- Netara (feat. Roberto Fonseca)
- Yada
- Tolon (feat. Yemi Alade)
- Dambe
- Dakan
- Maya
Featured photo credit: Alun Be