Fantani Toure

b. Fatoumata Toure, 30 May, Bamako, Mali. Descended from nobility and therefore seen as someone for whom a singing career was unacceptable (in Malian culture, only those from the ‘Griot' caste are encouraged to become professional singers), Toure nevertheless began singing publicly at a young age, and by the time she reached her mid-teens, she was regularly participating in, and winning, competitive music festivals in her home-town. However, in spite of a growing reputation as a singer, dancer and songwriter, she let music take a back seat so that she could concentrate on her ...