Awa Poulo

Originating from the rural commune of Dilly in southwestern Mali, Awa Poulo is a West African singer of Peulh heritage. Uncommon among Peulh women as a public performer, she and her band gained recognition by fusing regional folk traditions that incorporate flute, n'goni, and calabash percussion with mainstream Malian sounds centered on distorted guitars and intensified rock components. Following independent releases of multiple cassettes and CDs, Poulo partnered with the international label Awesome Tapes to issue her first widely distributed album, Poulo Warali, in 2017.