In Bamako, it is widely used to host weddings and other baptisms. In Paris, it was within the Debademba group that his griot singing, ample and powerful, immediately commanded respect. At 40, this Ivorian-Malian artist is now determined to shine solo. Portrait.
Mohamed Diaby was born in Ivory Coast to a Malian father and an Ivorian mother, the cherry Koumba Kouyaté. Raised in the tradition of djélis, Mohamed Diaby was revealed to the general public in 2007 thanks to the show “Case Sanga”, the Malian television springboard for the discovery of young talents, and his hit “Zoulukalanani”.
In France, it is within the group Debademba, formed with guitarist Abdoulaye Traore, let us discover it. And from the outset, his vocal mastery commands respect: his griot singing, ample and powerful, is in line with the great tenor voices of Mandinka music. And, above all, Mohamed Diaby has the rare ability to adapt this soloist voice to all styles.
You will understand why shortly, we both know each other a little, he is my “little one”. But it’s the 1time time I interview him. And it is the nomadic and Ile-de-France festival dedicated to African music, Africolor, which gives me the possibility. Because Mohamed Diaby agreed to replace, at short notice, the Malian singer Nawaha Doumbia.
For now, on this icy December afternoon, we have an appointment at his hotel in Montreuil.
And to draw the contours of his portrait, I chose to return with him to the artists, such Oumou Sangaré Or Soum Billwho shaped it…
Excerpts from the album The message from Africa (Keyzit – 2017): “ Mali Kalan”; “Djougouya”; “Mama Koumba”
Excerpts from the EP Djangou Gallo (2014) : “ Zouloukalanani » »
Excerpt from the album “Debademba” by Debademba: “Sidebemonebo”; “Agnakamina”; “Loundotemena”
- And also extracts from :
“Papa” by Boddhi Satva with Mohamed Diaby; “Betehi” by Koumba Kouyaté; “Human Nature” by Michael Jackson; “Souaressi” by Sory Kandia Kouyaté; “Souareba” by Salif Keïta; “Saa Magni” by Oumou Sangaré; “Samba” from the Amazons of Guinea; “Sacrificed Generation” of the 12 bastards; “Zouglou 3.0” by Soum Bill
“Radio Vinyle #16” with Salif Keita at the microphone of Vladimir Cagnolari and Soro Solo (2013);
Mohamed Diaby concert in Abidjan on July 22, 2022 (ITW Soum Bill);
Concert by Mohamed Diaby at the Africolor festival on December 10, 2023.
Pursue Mohamed Diaby
Journalist : Hortense Volle
Realization : Benjamin Sarralié
3D mixing in Dolby ATMOS for immersive headphone listening : Jérémie Besset
FMM production unit manager – RFI Labo : Xavier Gibert