IDRISSA SOUMAORO LAUREAT PRIX RFI 2004
"Piracy is a social and cultural crime"

Prize winner of the Prix RFI Musiques du monde 2004, Idrissa Soumaoro received his trophy on December 16, 2004 in Paris. An event largely covered by the international press. The day before of his departure (December 14) the artist/pedagogue came to see the editorial staff of Mag!
"I was very moved by the proclamation of the jury", he told us after his brilliant dedication on December 2, 2004 at the Prix RFI Musiques du monde. He specifies, "I had hopes compared to this favourable continuation, especially when I was with young people who did their best to allow me to carry out a performance equal to my wish. I am now happy for myself and my country ".
For the artist, the originality was determining in his coronation. "The originality of my music and my look (Spanish style) supported me. The Guinean has competed with the Mandingo music which belongs to everyone. As for the Senegalese, he defended with the Mbalax in a style which not belongs to him only. I rather staked on a traditional music adapted to my style and my vision of music. This brought an authentic touch to him. And that influenced the jury ", he thinks.
And yet, in spite of a rich artistic career, Kotè is the very first album of Idrissa Soumaoro,. This first attempt became a key of genius which won him this international dedication. Idrissa has only one secrecy: work! "I owe the success of my album to the work and talent of the artists who accompanied me. We gave the best of ourselves. And the reception comforted us a lot. By just listening to the model, you were one of the first to say that this work would win me many dedications. An opinion shared by many other people ".
At eight years from retirement of his post of teaching inspector of music, this trophy opens a new career to him. A decisive phase of his life which he intends to approach with "much serenity and hope. I am of calm nature and I reflect much before acting. I do not precipitate. It is my force perhaps! My worries are on the side of my work of teaching inspector... ". But, he is ensured on this side. "From my nomination to my dedication, my hierarchical superior and my colleagues mobilized by my sides… And the Minister for Education personally ensured me of his support because in his opinion, I am a new ambassador of Mali on the international scene ", he declares, full of recognition.
A new career, therefore legitimate expectations. "My greatest wish is to always match the expectations of those who like me and trust in me. I am perfectionist. And I count on this new career to improve my music. I wish that my works will continue to please to really impose me in the show biz. I also hope that, at eight years from retirement from the state function, this dedication will enable me to ensure my old days ", he acknowledges.
With the coronation of Idrissa Soumaoro, Mali thus gains its 7th trophy in this competition of planetary notoriety. But, in some time, piracy is likely to deprive the country of such honours. "At this rate, piracy will compromise all our artistic assets. My album was victim of its success because it was amply pirated. Artists cannot live any more of their talent. That is an enormous injustice even an obvious violation of our human rights, a social and cultural crime ".
The artist knows what he speaks about since a very few artists saw their songs pirated as much as his " Ancien combattant ". "The fear of piracy explains partly my choice to devote myself only to the musical training of the young people. I recorded, in 1969, my first songs among which Ancien combattant. The following year, I was pirated. That frightened me. I then understood that I would take huge risks by launching myself exclusively in an artistic career ", he complains.
Piracy is not the only concern of Idrissa Soumaoro considering the future of the Malian music. In his opinion, "the young people do not take enough time any more to work. They are in a hurry to be famous and try to burn decisive stages to carry out their ambitions. It is necessary that they accept rub shoulders with the elders and to go to their schools by listening to them. But, as soon as a young person manages to gather two or three songs, he begins to search a producer ".
We then easily understand why many young people do not go far in their career. In a hurry to become adulated stars, they do not take time to be formed and to be armed to succeed. In a hurry than the music, one dances badly!
King Moseto