Fatoumata Diawara

"This project means a lot to me. To be involved in the protection of the Timbuktu Manuscripts is a huge honor. Conditions for men and women in Mali are very different, and for a woman to be involved in this cultural preservation is very important. It is unbelievable to be a part of it and it feels like a dream. I’m so proud and so happy.I’m very in touch with my ancestral past. Many of the visuals and ideas I use come to me in my dreams, dreams about my ancestors. To be given a chance to help protect our ancestral and cultural legacy is so special to me."

"I have access to all the instruments here. On tour I just have the voice and the guitar, but I prefer recording at home where I can express myself. There is no time. Time moves differently here. It is more relaxing."

"Female artists are fighting to exist. For sure we have a lot of female musicians in Mali but most of the time the projects and their music belong to men – husbands, producer, management. Musically we are not always free. I hope in the future there will be more female artists who can express themselves freely and compose instead of just singing."

"I believe it’s a decision an artist must make from the very beginning of their career. The way you present yourself to your audience is what they will remember. For instance, if you start your career singing in English or French, that’s what your audience will associate with you, and they won’t want you to do anything else. From the start, I decided that I wanted to be the continuation of all those great African women: Miriam Makeba, Angélique Kidjo, Oumou Sangaré... All these singers made themselves heard around the world while staying true to themselves. These women always sang in their respective African languages, and they always remained loyal to and proud of their African culture. They always presented themselves as African singers, nothing else. They’ve won Grammys and many other awards with this African identity."

"Looking at the new generation of African artists, many of them get trapped early on in styles that aren’t theirs, and that limits them. At this rate, I worry about the future of African music, and that in the future, there won’t be many singers who represent the African woman."

"Yes, but you have to put things in a positive way. It's true. We want to change the image of Africa, because we've been realizing that only we ourselves can change Africa. Nobody can do it for us. People try, because they love us, but only we can change things. We understand that we should stand up and try to write our own story."

"I know. I know, but for now, on the cultural side, it's a really good connection for Africa. Because my audience is not only Malian people. They come from all over the world, an this is because of social media. My lyrics are talking about women, and that concerns all women. It doesn't matter where you are from. When I say women, everyone will feel like she's part of the subject. And this is great. It's a good connection for the world."

"It's serious. We should keep fighting. There are only a few female artists doing this. It's a big responsibility. Because people can hate you. You can really have a problem with all those things"

"For now, no, because I take time to write things. I like to be direct, but very honest. That type of writing. People can feel that it's a done in a very respectful way. And it’s for the best of the country and the continent."

"South Africa is so deeply rooted in history. You can't talk about South Africa without mentioning its history, culture, and great artists like Miriam Makeba, Hugh Masekela, Busi Mhlongo, etc."

"I am particularly moved because this is the very first time I am performing in South Africa"