The all-female African group Les Amazones d’Afrique, a collective which has included some of the biggest stars in African music, make a triumphant return with a brand-new sound on their third album “Musow Danse”. Three generations of women sing out in unison, calling for a future without the threat of female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual violence, lack of education and forced marriage
Les Amazones d’Afrique in 2019 features some new faces, but the message remains loud and clear: Violence against women must stop. ‘Amazones Power’ tackles these issues head on.
Group is an all-female collective formed in Bamako, Mali, in 2014 by three renowned Malian music stars and social change activists, Mamani Keïta, Oumou Sangaré and Mariam Doumbia, and it has since expanded to involve many female artists from across Africa and the diaspora.
While their cause — campaigning for gender equality and eradicating ancestral violence — is worthy enough in itself, their musical creative expression is equally powerful. Richly melodic and far-ranging, it blends pan-African styles and collaborative harmonies with gritty, contemporary pop.
“We believe that music can help change human behaviour,” said the group’s press spokesman
Following two critically-acclaimed albums “République Amazone” (2017) and “Amazones Power” (2020) working with the idiosyncratic Congotronics producer Doctor L, the band have now collaborated with Jacknife Lee on the new album to embrace a powerful pop sound led by 808s and glitchy synths and drawing from contemporary hip-hop and trap influences.
The third album by Les Amazones d’Afrique, whose ten-year-global residency has seen the seed of an idea take root, gather pace and bloom. It’s been a journey paved by talent, authenticity, conviction and hard work.
And by knock-em-dead charisma: live shows everywhere from Primavera Sound in Barcelona and the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury to the Gnawa Festival in Essaouira, Morocco, have had hundreds of thousands of devotees grooving and punching the air.
Proof of quality
If further proof were needed that Les Amazones d’Afrique have become a force for change, a movement synonymous with championing the rights of women everywhere, it is “Musow Danse”.
Produced and mixed by LA-based Irish shaman Jacknife Lee (U2, The Killers, REM), the record showcases six stronger-together voices: Malian diva/original member Mamani Keïta. Beninese vocalist/actress Fafa Ruffino. Burkina Faso star Kandy Guira. Ivory Coast phenomenon Dobet Gnahoré, who joined the collective for their 2022 live tour. New additon, Congolese singer/actress Alvie Bitemo. Further buoyed by two features from Nigerian songstress Nneka, it’s a work of inclusivity, dynamism and magic.
“WE WANT TO HELP MEN UNDERSTAND THAT THE EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN IS THE KEY TO THE FUTURE AND OUR CALL TO STOP VIOLENCE IS UNIVERSAL.”
Musow Danse: Part call to unite. Part witch’s brew
Musically, it’s the strongest statement yet from female singers who aspire to capture the interest of listeners around the world. You can also check out if they catch your attention via our radio broadcast on the Mixcloud platform in the “Album of the Week” section.
NMR (photo: Karen Paulina Biswell)
