Biography
A Senegalese singer and songwriter whose warm and airy approach shapes her work, Mariaa Siga crafts reggae- and jazz-tinged material that leans toward softer, acoustic textures. Her first full-length project, Asekaw, arrived in 2019.
Born Mariama Siga Goudiaby in Senegal’s southern Casamance region, she claimed victory in a 2009 talent contest that opened doors to professional training in music and personal presentation. That break soon brought a role in the Senegalese television film Mon Rêve, broadcast in 2010. Over the following years she refined an increasingly layered sound that wove reggae and jazz together with African traditions, above all the characteristic rhythms of her Casamance upbringing.
In 2016 she earned a place among the winners of the Tremplin competition at the Festival des Vieilles Charrues in Carhaix, France. The tracks “Ya Sama None” and “Asekaw” appeared in 2017, and the next year she made her first appearance at the Kayissen Festival in Casamance. Later in 2018 she contributed to Yoro N’Diaye’s Sunu Folk compilation under the name Maria Siga. Extensive travel through Morocco, France, and Canada followed in 2019, culminating in the October release of her debut album Asekaw, now credited to Mariaa Siga.
Her rising visibility led to a spot on season nine of the French program The Voice: La Plus Belle Voix in early 2020. After her elimination she undertook a short French tour and unveiled a video for “Wama,” a song first featured on the Sunu Folk collection.
Born Mariama Siga Goudiaby in Senegal’s southern Casamance region, she claimed victory in a 2009 talent contest that opened doors to professional training in music and personal presentation. That break soon brought a role in the Senegalese television film Mon Rêve, broadcast in 2010. Over the following years she refined an increasingly layered sound that wove reggae and jazz together with African traditions, above all the characteristic rhythms of her Casamance upbringing.
In 2016 she earned a place among the winners of the Tremplin competition at the Festival des Vieilles Charrues in Carhaix, France. The tracks “Ya Sama None” and “Asekaw” appeared in 2017, and the next year she made her first appearance at the Kayissen Festival in Casamance. Later in 2018 she contributed to Yoro N’Diaye’s Sunu Folk compilation under the name Maria Siga. Extensive travel through Morocco, France, and Canada followed in 2019, culminating in the October release of her debut album Asekaw, now credited to Mariaa Siga.
Her rising visibility led to a spot on season nine of the French program The Voice: La Plus Belle Voix in early 2020. After her elimination she undertook a short French tour and unveiled a video for “Wama,” a song first featured on the Sunu Folk collection.
Albums
Singles
Live
