It’s a rare artiste who can take the US media by storm while garnering profound respect as a cultural leader in her homeland. And it’s even rarer when that artiste can keep true to her deep desert roots while standing out in front of a contemporary rock quartet.
The Tamani d’Or award recently granted to Malian singer Khaira Arby on April 15, 2011 in Bamako, Mali shows how profoundly respected she is for her boldness and commitment.
Arby’s breakthrough album, Timbuktu Tarab, and two recent US concert tours have won her critical and audience acclaim from Brooklyn to San Francisco. Now, Khaira has been honoured for her creative work at home with the Tamani d’Or, as she prepares to conquer Europe with her music.
Given by the Malian music industry, the award states that: “The General Directors of the Tamani d’Or have the real pleasure to announce that you are distinguished as the best Malian musical artist of the past 50 years.”
“One of Africa’s greatest singers”—New York Times
The Tamani Awards honours newcomers and established performers from Mali . Previous awardees have included such greats as Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita, Bassekou Kouyate, Toumani Diabate, Ali Farka Toure, and many more.
Arby is one of only a few women who have received this honour and also one of only a few artistes from Mali’s north to win recognition for her achievements and contribution to Mali’s culture and arts. Arby was thrilled to receive the award’s statuette, a golden “talking drum,” at a recent gala in Bamako.
“It has been wonderful to have my music so well received around the world,” Arby noted, reflecting on the award. “It is also very moving to have my work recognised in Mali.”
