Award-winning Malian singer and songwriter Oumou Sangaré will be the headlining act at the She Matters Concert in Rwanda, part of the Hamwe Festival, an event hosted by the University of Global Health Equity.

The festival, which celebrates the creative industry’s contribution to global health, will be held from November 8 to 13.

Sangaré will perform at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (Camp Kigali) on November 10, alongside Rwandan afro-soul and fusion artist Shannel Nirere.

The She Matters Concert showcases artists who have used their voices to advance women’s health issues.

Sangaré has made a name for herself especially in her role in women’s advocacy. A renowned West African musician, her style is defined by Wassoulou, a fusion of vocals and traditional music instruments from southern Mali.

Her albums include Seya, Mogoya, Moussoulou and Worotan.

Her debut album Moussoulou (Women) critically addressed the taboos and challenges faced by West African women: It sold over 250,000 copies through international distribution.

Ko Sira, her 1993 album drew further international attention as it incorporated popular international genres like soul, rock and funk to its African flavour.
Several songs on Worotan (1996) featured American saxophonist Pee Wee.

Seya (Joy), Sangaré’s 2009 album, featured a remake of Imagine from John Lennon’s The Imagine Project. The song earned Sangaré a Grammy Award in 2010.

Using her musical influence, she ventured into humanitarian work. Sangaré has worked with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and has been an official ambassador for the United Nations since 2003.