Fatoumata Diawara (b. 1982) is a Malian musician and actress. Born in Ivory Coast, she moved to France to pursue acting, eventually appearing in films such as La genèse and Sia, le rêve du python. She later took up the guitar and began composing her own material, writing songs that blend Wassoulou traditions of southern Mali with international influences. Diawara's debut album, Fatou (2011), was named 2011's best world music album by The Sunday Times. Since 2014, she has collaborated extensively with the Cuban jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca.Photograph: Thesupermat