Oumou Sangare Announces New Album with a New Track

Malian singer, Oumou Sangare has just announced the release date of her album ‘Mogoya‘ with a track called ‘Yere Faga’ featuring Tony Allen.

After eight years, the Grammy-awarded African singer announced the release of her album on May 19th with a show prior to its release at Scala in London on May 16th. Oumou is a known advocate for women’s rights and stands against polygamy, child marriages and the oppression of women in Mali.

Now, as she announces her new album Mogoya – which translates as People Today – she teases her avid fans with a track called ‘Yere Faga’ that features Tony Allen’s drumming. The record is released on all digital platforms last February 3 through the French indie label, Nø Førmat!.

The song features traditional African instruments such as the camel n’toni (harp), karignan (metal scraper) and calabash percussion and is augmented by electric guitars, bass, keyboards and synths with drums by Tony. Oumou says, “This time round I wanted to go for more of a modern sound, to satisfy young people in Mali but being careful, all the while, to respect my culture and tradition”.

Oumou is also known for her collaborations with Alicia Keys, Tracy Chapman, Bela Fleck and Dee Dee Bridgewater. She also featured on the soundtrack of Toni Morrison’s Beloved.