If you haven't yet heard the gorgeously haunting voice of singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara, now is your chance to get with this refined artist. Diawara was born in Cote d'Ivoire and was raised in Southern Mali before she moved to France to become an actor. She grew up listening to Wassoulou music, a style performed mostly by and about women. On her latest album, Fatou, Diawara sings in her native Wassoulou language. We caught up with her ahead of her NYC debut solo performance at Pace University. Diawara told us about the conflict facing Mali and the struggle to see past it, as well as entranced us with her multi-faceted performance. Watch the full clip below.

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Producer + Editor: Chika Oduah

Videographer: Nelson Nance