Artists
who's who and who's doing what?Fania
- country:Senegal
- style(s):Afro Pop
- label:Skycap/ Roughtrade
- type:Band
- gender:male, female
- instrumentation:instrumental, vocal
- artist submitted by:
Fania, born in the Sahel desert, was introduced to Senegalese music by her grandfather, and even as a child she learned old West African melodies and dialects, such as Peul, Wolof, Mandingo, Sonike.
As a nomad between two worlds, the austere, simple and natural life of her homeland of Senegal on the one hand, and the fast-moving, iridescent and exciting big city life in her chosen home of Paris on the other, Fania has accomplished a balancing act between these two opposite cultures on a personal as well as on an artistic level.
As there could hardly be a greater contrast between Fania's cultural influences, it's no surprise that her musical interests are just as diverse. They include African musicians such as Ali Farka Toure, Baaba Maal, Bembeya Jazz National or the Super Rail Band, but also pop musicians such as PJ Harvey, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Prince or Serge Gainsbourg.
Fania's lyrics are about the different themes of African life: the ghosts, the quiet, the magic, the love, etc. Her music is an intelligent melange of traditional instruments and urban rhythms, the latter influenced by Western pop music. With her fresh and very original second solo album she helps us to understand the African culture of tomorrow.
CD: Naturel 2005 Skycap Rec/ Roughtrade
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