Maciré Sylla is an internationally renowned Guinean singer and dancer, nicknamed the "Queen of Guinean Music". A talented author-songwriter-performer, she brilliantly blends Mandingue influences, afropop and funk in her songs mainly performed in the Suso language.
Born in 1970 in Conakry, Maciré grew up with the traditional songs and melodies of her country before starting a successful musical career with five albums to her assets including "Mariama" and tubes such as "L'Amour Est Sorcier". A true ambassador of Guinean culture throughout the world, she now aspires to perform more on African scenes to share her music rich in messages of peace and love with her native audience.
Introduction
Maciré Sylla, nicknamed the "Queen of Guinean Music", is a talented singer and dancer from Conakry, Guinea. A well-known author, composer and performer, she sings mainly in the Soussou language, combining Mandingue influences, afropop and funk. With five albums at his disposal, three of which carry the names of his daughters, Maciré Sylla has conquered the hearts of melomans around the world thanks to his powerful voice and unique style.
Childhood and Education
Born in 1970 in Conakry, Maciré Sylla grew up in a small village in the countryside of Guinea, nestled by ancient traditional songs and melodies. At the age of 10, she joined her singing mother in the capital and quickly joined the Ballet Soleil d'Afrique, where she played the lead role. This early immersion in the world of music and dance shaped his talent and passion for the arts.
Musical career
Beginning
In 1989, Bruno Camara, founder of Africa Djolé, impressed by the talent of Maciré Sylla, invited him to join the group Fatala, based in the Netherlands. With Fatala, she plays semi-traditional Guinean music and recorded on the famous label Realworld in the 1990s. This experience allows him to make himself known on the international stage.
In 1994, Maciré left Fatala and moved to Switzerland with Cédric Asséo, a producer and composer whom she met in Guinea. Together, they founded the band Djembé Faré and recorded the album "Mariama" in 1997. This album, skillfully mixing traditional Guinean rhythms and melodies with electric guitars played by European musicians, seduces world music enthusiasts and finds immense success in Guinea.
Success
During the first decade of the 21st century, Maciré Sylla continued his innovative approach and produced several acclaimed albums. His song "Perenperen", extracted from the album "Massa", was featured in the Putumayo compilation "African Party" (2008) and the Polish compilation "Black Magic Woman" (2012), testifying to her international recognition.
Her debut album "Mariama" sold more than 200,000 cassettes in Guinea, earning her the 1998 Guinean singer award. His flagship titles such as "L'Amour Est Sorcier" and "Frediyo" have become indispensable classics of his discography.
Discography
Albums
- Mariama (1996, Djembé Faré/Misslin)
- Maya Irafama (2001, Djembé-Faré/Trace)
- Sarefi (2004, Ethnomad/Arion)
- Massa (2005, Djembé-Faré/Nocturne)
- Talitha (2011, Djembé-Faré/Zebralution/Disques Office)
Singles and Video Clips
- "L'Amour Est Sorcier" (video clip, extrait of Maya Irafama)
- "Frediyo" (video clip, extrait of Talitha, 2012)
- "Tiama" (video clip, extrait of Talitha, 2012)
Collaborations
Maciré Sylla has collaborated with artists from different backgrounds, including Swiss rapper Jonas, with whom she worked on her album "Talitha". This openness to various musical genres testifies to his desire to create inclusive and accessible music for all.
Tours
Although based in Switzerland for twenty years, Maciré Sylla has travelled the roads of Europe and the United States with the Ballet Soleil d'Afrique in her youth, imbuing herself with the sounds of the West. Since then, she has given many concerts in Europe, notably in Germany, France and Switzerland, sharing her music with an international audience.
However, her dream is to perform on African scenes, return to the sources and present her work to her Guinean audience that she misses so much.
Private life
Maciré Sylla lives in Geneva, Switzerland, with her husband Cédric Asséo, who played a key role in her career by producing her albums and working closely with her on the writing of lyrics and musical composition. Together, they have four daughters, three of whom have given their names to some of Maciré's albums.
Unfortunately, marital problems that occurred in 2010 led to the divorce of Maciré and Cédric in 2017, after seven years of legal battle. This separation had a considerable impact on the career of Maciré Sylla, who lost access to his European copyrights and faced financial difficulties.
Conclusion
Maciré Sylla is an exceptional artist who has preserved African musical traditions while modernizing them and opening them to other influences. His powerful voice and enchanting melodies have transcended borders, touching listeners from all over the world.
Despite the challenges in her personal life, Maciré Sylla remains determined to pursue her career and share her talent with her audience. With her new album in preparation and her desire to perform in Africa, the Queen of Guinean Music promises to continue to enchant melomans with her music rich in emotions and positive messages.
