Lamomali
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Lamomali | |
|---|---|
 Lamomali performing in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin |
|
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| Labels | Wagram |
| Members | |
| Past members | |
| Website | labo-m |
Lamomali is a collective of musicians, mostly of French and Malian origin, formed primarily at the initiative of Matthieu Chedid, aka -M-, in 2015. The group blends African, world, rock, and pop music. Their self-titled, debut album was released in 2017 and was followed by Totem in 2025.
Following a trip to Mali in 2006, where he met the kora player Toumani Diabaté and his son Sidiki, French musician Matthieu Chedid, also known as -M-, decided to form a musical collective with the duo that also included singer-songwriter Fatoumata Diawara. They named it Lamomali, which means "the soul of Mali" (l'âme au Mali), in French.[1] Chedid thus fulfilled a passion he had for the Western African nation,[2][3] and in 2015, the ensemble released its debut, self-titled album.[4] The record includes contributions from Oxmo Puccino; Ibrahim Maalouf; Philippe Jaroussky; Seu Jorge; Nekfeu; Mamani Keïta; Chedid's father, Louis; and Youssou N'Dour; among others.[4] The group subsequently went on tour, performing in several cities in France and Belgium.[3] This resulted in a live album, Lamomali Airlines, released in 2017.[5] Lamomali won in the World Music Album category at the 2018 Victoires de la Musique ceremony.[6]
Toumani Diabaté died in 2024,[7] during the recording of Lamomali's second studio album, Totem, which was released in 2025.[5] The record was dedicated to him as well as to Philippe Zdar, who had mixed Lamomali and who died in 2019.[8] It includes contributions from such artists as Amadou & Mariam, Oxmo Puccino, Philippe Jaroussky, and Yamê.[5] The group subsequently embarked on a tour,[5][9] which culminated in the live album Totem Live later that year. Also in 2025, Totem was re-released as Lamomali je t'aime, with six new tracks.
Band members
Current
- Matthieu Chedid – vocals, guitar, other instruments
- Fatoumata Diawara – vocals
- Sidiki Diabaté – kora, vocals
- Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté – kora
Past
- Toumani Diabaté – kora (died 2024)
