Nahawa Doumbia is one of Mali's defining vocalists of the last four decades. Her work journeys through progressive stages of musical evolution and sonic vogues, making it hard to summarize or even comprehend. She's played a part in popular music since the late ‘70s, as her version of Wassoulou music developed from vocals-and-guitar duo into full-scale touring bands packing a bombastic, electrified punch. As Doumbia puts it, "My music has changed multiple times to this day…The more I progressed in my musical career, the more instruments I have had accompany my songs."
La Grande Cantatrice Malienne Vol 1 looks back to the beginning of Doumbia’s long career, when her voice was remarkably strong yet still developing. This was before she added bass and percussion, and finally the electric guitar and synths for which she became known in recent years.
She'd been singing traditional music since her early teens in Bougouni. Doumbia performed with cultural troupes throughout her youth and gained the notice of Radio Mali officials who entered her in a Radio France International contest, Découverte 81 á Dakar, which she won. Whether she knew it or not, as a young lady from a town many hours from Mali’s capital Bamako, she was destined for a worldwide touring career at the vanguard of Malian popular music.
Released in 1981 by the excellent Côte d’Ivoire-based AS Records, the singer was barely 20 years old when it was recorded. She was accompanied by her future husband N’Gou Bagayoko on acoustic guitar, whose style echoes the nimble runs of traditional kamele n’goni players. The stark simplicity of this highly intimate recording—the audible room acoustics, the occasionally in-the-red vocals—do not obscure the mature strength of her voice. On Vol 1 Doumbia performs her songs with the tenacity and hunger of a young artist on the cusp.
"When I think about it, first, I am reminded of how long ago it was. It's one of the albums that I love most because it reminds me of my youth. I was so young and my voice was light and joyful. I still listen to some of those songs today. I am really proud of that first album because that’s where it all began. It shows me how far I’ve come in my personal and artistic life; it gives me the courage I need to keep going forward, and makes me appreciate all the years of dedication and hard work I put into my musical career.
" These early songs are rhythmically built around Bagayoko's sensitive guitar, as his fingers brush the fretboard and gently outline the melodies. Although this record predates the singer’s use of percussion, the driving skeletal didadi rhythm is apparent in the songs. Later albums like Vol 3 further prioritize her hometown didadi beat and the result made her famous.
Translation of back cover text :
Nahawa Doumbia was born in 1960 in Mafele, in the administrative unit of Manankoro, Bougouni circle in the Republic of Mali. Due to the cruel loss of her mother one week before her birth, she quickly gained inspiration from those around her. Which gave her inspiration for songs. Nahawa Doumbia soon worked for the theatrical troupe of her district. Several times, she performed for her region at the biennial arts and cultural youth of Mali in Bamako. After several entries in “nuits des vedettes” (“star nights”), she competed in 1978 and 1980 as a solo singer and won 3rd and 1st place, respectively. Her fame has transcended national borders. She also participated in the largest contest called "Decouvertes 81" ("Discoveries 81"). This contest was organized by Radio France International featuring twenty broadcasts from Africa and the Indian Ocean in order to promote the French language. She won the ICA (Institut Culturel Africain) award for the best song of traditional inspiration. She said: "I do not want to inspire either laugh or dance, but to educate through my song."
Courage to Nahawa Doumbia because this task is very difficult. - N. Bagayoko
When I release my first album, I pay tribute to Souleymane Sangaré and Siraba Togoba. - Nahawa Doumbia 1. Kourouni
2. Tou Dibile
3. Tjefouroule
4. Djankonia
5. Nianimanjougou
6. Sokono Woulouni
