IDRISSA SOUMAORO, NOMINATED AT THE PRIX RFI MUSIQUES
"I aspire to the highest step of the podium"

Nominated at the “Prix RFI Musiques du monde” thanks to his album “Kotè”, Idrissa Soumaoro prepares the final concert actively. An event planned for next December the 2nd at the French Arts centre of Bamako. In this interview, he speaks about his feelings, his expectations, Kotè, etc.
Interview!

Mag: How did you react to your nomination at the Prix RFI Musiques du monde?
Idrissa Soumaoro: That was a pleasant surprise for me. Even if, after the achieving of the work, I expected a dedication of this kind. When I learned that I was retained among the three finalists, on more than 200 candidatures, I was very happy for myself, my family and my country, Mali. I hope that the continuation will be favourable to us.

- While postulating to this price, were you really convinced to be finish among the finalist?
I.S: the initiative of my candidature does not come from me. It is the organizers of the competition themselves who solicited me, through my manager, after having listened to Kotè. I then had presentiments in relation to a possible dedication. In any case, I hoped to occupy an honourable position after this request.

- At which level do you evaluate your chances compared to the other finalists?
I.S: I would like to occupy the highest walk of the podium. I will be so glad, especially as the final will take place in Bamako. I have confidence in my art. I do not underestimate my competitors because I already know one of the groups. But, I think that I have chances to win this trophy. I have no fear and I will express the most naturally possible the day of the finale.

- After this nomination, don't you regret to have remained a little too much in the shadow?
I.S: Indeed, I remained in the shadow on the international level. But, I have always advanced in the musical environment. I had three capacities. I am first of all a teacher (music and English). From this point of view, I have nothing to prove any more because I am very close to retirement. Then, I play the piano with my group of varieties, Les Compagnons, who is today one of the best countries in the animation of the hotels, bars restaurants and other spaces of leisure. With this group, I play the keyboard exclusively. These two activities can go together. But, when one gives the priority to creation, considered as author Composer, it is to aspire to an international career. What is synonymous of adventure and of race against money. I am so much implanted in the Malian culture that I have always given the priority to my family to the prejudice of an international musical career because that would have taken me away from my family and my roots to the country. It’s a choice that I do not regret today whatever the honours that Kotè brings me are.

- In a general manner, are you satisfied of the reception reserved to Kotè?
I.S: I am very satisfied of this reception. My expectations are being filled. Kotè already opens me the doors of the international show biz because it was well distributed in Europe. Thus, at the end of March 2004, I was in England for its promotion. I was invited by a company of production considered like the Djatigui of the African stars such as Salif Kéita, Ismaël Lô, and Myriam Makeba… Kotè is well sold everywhere in the world, especially in Europe.

- And at the national level?
I.S: Everything goes on well. I went to certain points of sale supplied by Mali K7, the official distributor of Kotè in Mali, where the salesmen assured me that the album goes so well that they are often out of stock. Unfortunately, piracy became the ransom of this commercial success. The album is more and more pirated. What represents an immense loss of earnings for the producer, the distributor and the author that I am.

- Why after so many years of musical career, you aim the international show biz today?
I.S: It is a question of priority. I gave the priority to formation; you won’t be surprised if I tell you that I was picture framer at the national institute of the young blind men of Mali where Amadou and Mariam were. They are confirmed stars on the international scene and were the prizes winners of this competition Découvertes RFI in 1984 in Lome if I am not mistaken. To answer to your question, I will say that after so many years, I think that I have a mission of education of the young person at the international level through the messages contained in my songs and show the other side of the Malian music.

- can you describe the genesis of the production of this album?
I.S: Ten years ago, a friend, Modibo Nianzon Traoré, was searching to join Ibrahima Sylla (Syllart production) to produce me. It’s only at the end of 2002 that he accepted to listen to my model which was very convincing. I thus take advantage of this occasion to thank this friend who did his best in order to allow me to be produced by Syllart Production. I also thank Ibrahim Sylla who gave me my chance, and also placed all the means at my disposal to succeed in doing a work of quality. The harmonica, the flute, the accordion, the small percussions..., I had all that I needed and the result is there.

- Apart the finale of the Prix RFI Musique du monde, what are your immediate projects?
I.S: I have proposals for concert in Italy. I must also perform in France. In England also, I must animate a dozen spectacles there. I proposed to the various promoters to try to harmonize the dates to facilitate the task to me. From January to March 2005, it will be easy for me to answer their requests. For the time being I remain concentrated on the final.

- Your word of the end?
I.S: I thank all those who believed in this work and helped me, near or far, to carry it out. I thank Modibo Nianzon Traoré, Syllart Production and Mali K7. I am the happiest man of the world today and I am already at work so that this nomination would end in apotheosis in next December. We will give the best of ourselves to deserve the confidence and support of all the Malians.

Remarks collected by
King Moseto

Découvertes RFI Musique du Monde
Antoine Yvernault, the Chief of the Cultural Operations department at RFI is awaited in Bamako this day September 27 at the beginning of evening. Mr Yvernault, who comes to see the place (choice of the site, evaluation of the Sound system, light, choice of the partners and advertisers and place of lodging of the teams RFI and of the awaited artists) is a Friend of Africa. During his stay in Bamako, everything will be checked.

Mbilia Bell the new album
Belissimo is the generic title of her next opus which will be available on the market during October 2004. An album of 10 melodious titles produced by Syllart production on which the beautiful Mbilia invites the great voice of the Mandingo music: Kandia Kouyaté "Droit à l'amour (Right with the love)". You will very soon have the extracts of this opus on the waves of the radio.

Djénèba Seck
In spite of the national current event consecrated to the pirates (locusts) which devastates all on their passage, the new opus of Djénèba Seck "Tignè" swipe everything. 10 days after its release the assessment is eloquent even if the pirates interfered. These criminals never move back. The Combat against the locusts is about to be won; why don’t they put up a post of operational command against the pirates of the artistic and cultural works?