London Ko, the new album by Fatoumata Diawara co-produced by Damon Albarn, was released on May 12.

With this new album, Fatoumata Diawara continues to reinvent traditional African music, uniting his Mandinka roots with Afrobeat, jazz, pop, electronic and hip hop influences. A synthesis that is also reflected in the title of the album, which combines the names of a western metropolis like London with that of the Malian capital Bamako.

In London Ko, the African artist, among the most intense voices in the international world music scene, joins forces with Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur), who co-produces some songs of the album and appears in six tracks, including the first single, Nsera, released with critical acclaim from Pitchfork, Stereogum, okayafrica, WNYC, the podcast Object of Sound and more.

Drawing on the international artistic encounters that have shaped her path to date, Fatoumata Diawara invites some special guests within the album, as gateways to her universe.

Among these, two rising stars of the African continent: the Ghanaian rapper M.anifest and the new voice of Nigerian Afrobeat, Yemi Alade, Angie Stone, -M- and Roberto Fonseca.

Fatoumata Diawara explains: «For me, London Ko means opening the mind. It also represents Damon Albarn’s link with Malian music». The title, a neologism coined by the singer herself, refers to an imaginary continent that unites Africa and Europe. While maintaining traditions, the music of Fatoumata Diawara offers a prophetic vision of what Africa can do. The artist invents an alternative space and time in which it is possible to become masters of one’s own destiny. Positioning herself as the protagonist of a future world, with this album Fatoumata Diawara enters by right into the ranks of the great voices of Afrofuturism.

Fatoumata has received two Grammy Awards nominations for Best World Music Album with “Fenfo“, and Best Dance Album thanks to his collaboration with Disclosure.