Yama Sega, whose real name is Maraima Bah, is an iconic Guinean singer born in 1995 in Cotonou, Benin, nicknamed the "Jaguar of Guinean music" for her raw talent and electrifying personality. Coming from a lineage of griots through her mother Fadima Cissoko, she first followed an exemplary academic path, obtaining a degree in political science before fully dedicating herself to music in 2017.
Her meteoric rise began with the hit "Nfatara," followed by numerous successes such as "Fekangni" and two acclaimed albums, "N'na" (2019) and "Denyaa" (2022). Recognized for her unique style that fuses Guinean traditions with modern sounds, her powerful voice, and exceptional stage charisma, Yama Sega has established herself as an essential figure in the contemporary African music scene, despite the controversies that have sometimes surrounded her career.
Introduction
Nicknamed the "Jaguar of Guinean music," Yama Sega has established herself as one of the most captivating artists of her generation. Born Maraima Bah, this singer with raw talent and an electrifying personality has won the hearts of music lovers in Guinea and beyond thanks to her unique style that skillfully blends tradition and modernity.
Earlier Life and Education
Born in 1995 in Cotonou, Benin, Yama Sega is the daughter of Fadima Cissoko and Sega. From an early age, she was immersed in a rich musical environment thanks to her mother, who descends from a long line of griots, traditional artists who have perpetuated the art of storytelling and rhythm for generations.
The family quickly moved to Conakry, Guinea, where young Maraima began her schooling at Coleah Lanaseboungny primary school. A brilliant and diligent student, she continued her education at Hadja Mariama Doubreka College in Yimbaya, where she continued to excel academically.
Her exemplary academic journey led her to the General Lansana Conté University of Sonfoniya, where she earned an honors degree in political science in 2017. This prestigious diploma opened the way for a career in public administration, but fate would decide otherwise.
Musical Revelation
Despite her academic success, Yama could not long ignore the call of music that had resonated within her since childhood. After a brief stint at a transport agency, she made the bold decision to follow her heart and pursue a career in music.
It was alongside the legendary Mama Saran, nicknamed the "Civilized Djeli Mousso," that Yama first honed her skills as a backup vocalist. This mentor figure in Guinean music provided her with valuable advice and helped her refine her natural vocal talents.
The year 2017 marked a decisive turning point in her career with the release of her first hit "Nfatara." Her powerful and enchanting voice, combined with captivating melodies, was a revelation for Guinean audiences. Following this smashing success, she followed up with "Bonbon Sucré" in 2018, confirming that she was not just a flash in the pan.
Definitive acclaim came in 2018 with the release of her flagship title "Fekangni," accompanied by a music video that propelled her popularity to unprecedented heights. From then on, Yama Sega established herself as a true superstar of the Guinean music scene.
Discography and Collaborations
Yama's meteoric rise continued with the release of her first album titled "N'na" in 2019. This ambitious musical project perfectly reflects her ability to marry traditional Guinean influences with contemporary sounds, creating a unique and recognizable style.
In 2020, she partnered with Grand P, one of the country's most popular artists, for the track "Ani Aza." This strategic collaboration was an immense viral success, extending her fame well beyond Guinean borders and attracting international media attention.
Her second album, "Denyaa," released in 2022, confirmed her artistic maturity and was unanimously acclaimed by critics. Driven by hits "Sira" and "Diamono," this project consolidated her position as an essential artist on the African music scene.
That same year, she collaborated with Azaya on the track "N'Djouri," where the two iconic voices meet to explore the torments and delights of love. This pairing of talents once again demonstrates her ability to reinvent herself and surround herself with the best.
In December 2023, Yama Sega presented her highly anticipated double album "Fekangni & Nhanto" during a special concert at Chapiteau By Issa in Conakry. This ambitious project marks a return to roots for the artist, who explores her Fulani heritage through tracks in Pular, her father's language.
More recently, in October 2024, she unveiled her music video "Qui Vivra Verra" (Who Lives Will See), filmed in a natural setting on a verdant hill. This track, which alternates between Malinke, Susu, and some expressions in Pular, is perceived as a response to criticisms and rumors she has faced.
Tours and Stage Performances
To promote her various projects, Yama Sega has undertaken multiple tours in the main cities of Guinea. Accompanied by her musicians and dancers, she electrifies venues wherever she performs, offering stage performances of rare intensity that often last nearly three hours.
Her magnetic stage presence and ability to transform each concert into a true communion with the audience have earned her delirious enthusiasm at every stop on her tours, whether in Conakry, Kindia, Labé, or Boké.
The promotional tour for her album "Denyaa" in 2022 was particularly ambitious, with a sound and light show worthy of the largest international productions, including sets specially imported for the occasion. This substantial investment testifies to the magnitude of the phenomenon that Yama Sega now represents on the Guinean cultural scene.
Style and Artistic Influences
Endowed with a powerful and enchanting voice, Yama Sega stands out for her extraordinary stage presence and undeniable magnetic aura. Her musical style is a harmonious blend of traditional and modern sounds, drawing from Mandingo rhythms while incorporating elements of pop, R&B, and Afro-pop.
Her unique ability to merge tradition and modernity into a distinctive sound makes her one of the leading figures of a generation determined to shake up established codes. At only 29 years old, she is already asserting herself as a choice ambassador for Guinea's rich cultural heritage.
Controversies and Polemics
Like any public figure, Yama Sega's career is not without controversy. In February 2023, she triggered a polemic by publishing on her social networks a photo of herself holding a "penis-shaped" lollipop for Valentine's Day. This publication, deemed provocative, drew the ire of numerous associations and personalities concerned about the influence she might have on her young audience.
In early 2024, she drew the wrath of Senegalese internet users for mocking the appearance of footballer Krepin Diatta after a Guinean defeat. Her post, deemed disrespectful, triggered a real media storm in Senegal, with some even calling for a boycott of her planned concert in Dakar. Faced with this situation, she was forced to issue a public apology, while maintaining her concert scheduled for February 16, 2024, at the Douta Seck Cultural Center.
In August 2024, a new controversy erupted when she publicly accused an employee of Ahmed Sékou Touré International Airport of humiliating her by denying her access to the VIP lounge. In a video that went viral, she demanded the employee's dismissal. However, according to airport sources, the artist had allegedly tried to impose herself by using her fame to access a space reserved for diplomats and those recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A few days later, on August 19, 2024, she was summoned by the Office for the Protection of Gender, Childhood, and Morals (OPROGEM) in a case concerning the alleged dissemination of images deemed obscene on social networks.
Private Life
Despite her growing fame, Yama Sega remains very discreet about her personal life and intimate family circle. However, it is known that she has a deep admiration for her mother, Fadima Cissoko, whom she regularly thanks for having passed on her musical heritage.
In 2023, the artist made headlines by undergoing significant cosmetic surgery at a clinic in Istanbul. Faced with mixed reactions from the public, she fully embraced her choice, claiming her right as a woman to do with her body as she pleases and explaining that this transformation allowed her to boost her stage confidence.
Engagement and Influence
Beyond her musical career, Yama Sega asserts herself as an engaged artist who uses her voice to raise awareness about social problems and promote values such as peace, unity, and solidarity. She has also become a source of inspiration for many young women who see in her a model of success and empowerment.
In August 2023, she notably dedicated a song to Jaba Doumbouya, the daughter of Guinea's transitional president Mamadi Doumbouya, demonstrating her engagement with the social and political realities of her country.
Recognition and Cultural Impact
Although still early in her career, Yama Sega has already received numerous accolades from critics who praise her refreshing contribution to the Guinean music scene. Colleagues unanimously recognize her singular talent that opens new horizons for the national musical heritage.
Her success also resonates strongly internationally, where specialized media describe her as an "African revelation to follow." Her ability to represent the cultural richness of Guinea while offering a resolutely modern sound allows her to reach an ever-widening audience.
Conclusion
Yama Sega's inspiring journey perfectly illustrates how perseverance and talent can transcend obstacles. From her beginnings as a brilliant student to her current status as an undisputed superstar, she has continuously pushed her limits in a perpetual quest for excellence.
More than just a singer, she now embodies a unifying icon that elevates Guinea's rich cultural heritage while infusing it with bold modernity. Her unique ability to constantly reinvent herself and challenge established codes makes her a truly complete artist, reflecting her era.
At only 29 years old, Yama Sega asserts herself as one of the brightest and most promising stars in the African musical landscape, demonstrating that it is possible, through work and determination, to realize even the most ambitious dreams.
