Formed in 2014 by Malian musicians and social change activists Mamani Keïta, Oumou Sangaré and Mariam Doumbia (of Amadou & Mariam), Les Amazones d'Afrique has since grown to encompass famed West African singers across different nationalities and generations. Current contributors include the grammy-winning Angélique Kidjo, Mariam Koné, Kandia Kouyaté, Mariam Koné, Mouneïssa Tandina and Pamela Bajogo. The group's dynamism reflects in its continually evolving guest member list and the inclusion of fresh voices, including Nigerian singer-songwriter Nneka and Malian singer-songwriters Inna Modja and Rokia Koné.

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Les Amazones d'Afrique unabashedly speaks out against the oppression of women. So their name is apt considering the inspirations behind the name: the ruthless all-women Beninese army of Dahomey named 'Amazons' by European colonists for their mercilessness; the 1960s music group consisting of militia soldiers, 'Les Amazones de Guinee' famed for kicking off the "West African music renaissance".

Most notably, all members of Les Amazones d'Afrique have respectively successful music careers. So, why did they decide to combine their talents? The bedrock of the group lies in uplifting the lives of African women and eradicating ancestral violence. Still, they realise the universality of the issues they discuss, using their music to educate and change attitudes towards women worldwide. 

Band member Fafa Ruffino spoke to Real World Records in 2020, saying they joined forces "to show the world that there are no boundaries when it comes to standing for our rights". In addition, members have been vocal about their experiences of gender inequality, consisting of abuse, violence, instances of forced marriage and the denial of education.

Les Amazones d'Afrique uses the tool they know best — music — to secure women's equal rights. Their music is forward-thinking and spreads messages of empowerment. Through it, they eschew complacency for critiquing the status quo. Indeed, the Pan-African collective is unafraid to discuss the taboo in their music; topics such as female genital mutilation, forced marriages and violence against women take centre stage. 

The group epitomises a modern African sound, incorporating genres and musical traditions such as dub, funk, Congolese rumba, and Afrobeat. What's more, songs are written in Bambara, Mandinka, English and French, allowing them to spread their messages both near and far.  

Discography

“La Dame et Ses Valises”

Their first album, République Amazone, released in 2017, included the pre-released single "La Dame et Ses Valises" ("The Woman And Her Suitcases"), sung by Nneka. Former US President Barack Obama named it one of his top 20 favourite tracks of that year. At its core, the track is about uplifting women and spotlighting their incredible level of perseverance in the face of hardships. But, it fundamentally prompts women to realise their worth and see past limitations: "Woman, don't you know you're a queen." 

"Mansa Soyari"

Similarly, "Mansa Soyari", sung in the Malian language of Bambara, tells women not to forget their worth nor to downplay their importance in the world. After all:

Women give birth to the imams

Women give birth to ministers

Women give birth to presidents

Being a woman is a privilege

"I play the Kora"

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Profits from the sale of the single, "I Play The Kora", went to the Panzi Foundation, an organisation committed to helping survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The foundation has, to date, treated more than 85,000 women and girls with gynaecological injuries.

"I play the Kora", sung in Bambara, condemns the violence against women and stresses the importance of education for women and girls. Speaking to BBC Sounds in 2018, band member Awa Sangho said the song also calls out taboos around certain instruments, such as the Kora, an instrument historically denied to female musicians. She passionately states, "Women can run an entire country, so why not play a Kora?"

I'm your mother

Love me

I'm your sister

Love me

I'm your wifeY

ou do not have the right to beat me

We women, all the women

We want to be respected 

…

Don't accept, never accept

To be the shadow of yourself

"Amazones Power"

"Amazones Power" was released ahead of the eponymous 2020 album, which featured the same original voices while incorporating newer vocals from Rokia Koné and Fafa Ruffino. It touches on the realities and consequences of violence against women. Les Amazones d'Afrique summons the end to the subjugation of women and condemns practices such as FGM — which are often solely defended in the name of tradition. No one is exempt, as the lyrics acknowledge, as it denounces the active role some women play in suppressing the gender as a whole. "Amazones Power" is strong in its calls to end the silencing of women and demands freedom for all.

My life belongs to me

No one can tell me what to do

I am a free woman  

"Smile"

In “Smile”, Les Amazones d’Afrique lament the generational trauma women have endured. Still, they look ahead and urge women to reclaim their power, speak up and take the future into their own hands. Underlying Smile's lyricism is a sense of urgency and frustration at the status quo and the accompanying bleak prospects, with it asking, "My sisters, are you ready to get out of this system/ We cannot even breathe in?"

What next for Les Amazones d’Afrique?

Les Amazones d'Afrique has already made its mark by using music as its weapon of choice to secure equal rights for women. Moreover, they have proved the power of strength in numbers whereby their individual prowess combines to form a formidable, change-making group.

The group and its activism are still needed in the fight for gender equality and securing the rights of African women and women worldwide. With this in mind, we look forward to their future projects and seeing their musical activism expand and command a greater audience.