Dobet Gnahoré ‎- Na Drê (2014)

Singer, dancer, and percussionist Dobet Gnahoré was born and raised in the Ivory Coast of West Africa. Although she has now lived in France for quite some time, the influence of Africa remains a strong presence in both her sound and spirit. “I’m afraid for my Africa”, she sings on “J’ai Peur”, which later features an excerpt from Martin Luther King, Jr.’s influential “I Have a Dream” speech that “…one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight”. The recent threat of the largest Ebola virus outbreak in history has also been of great significance to her, writing “Non à l’ébola” to support those helping to fight the epidemic and all other diseases prevalent in Africa. More than anything though, women, their sacrifices, suffering, grace, and strength inspire the great sense of hope that permeates her music.