BENIN
They came out of nowhere, a group of young girls from a remote area of Benin who shook up the music scene with breathtaking energy and ingenuity, and a much-needed message.
7 girls, ages 10 to 17, not really your typical girl band. They sing about genital mutilation, forced marriages and many glimmers of hope. Powerful and cheerful music, despite the struggle they have to fight every day.
They play a mix of local Waama rhythms, Congolese rumba, highlife, bubu (sierra leone) and psychedelic rock. Catchy, universal, disarming, moving. Just what a world like this needs today!