Hailing from Guinea, Natu Camara is one of its brightest musical stars and a committed activist for the empowerment and education of girls and women in west Africa. Along with her multinational band in NY, she brings a fresh new sound to us with “Dimedi” (which means Child in her native language, Sousous). In the early 2000s, Camara led West Africa’s first all-female hip-hop group, the Ideal Black Girls (IBG). Years after releasing Guinèya Moumonèra (It’s Not a Shame to Be a Woman) — a multiplatinum opus advocating for women’s rights — as a member of IBG, the dynamism of Camara’s musical evolution is revealed. Singing in five languages, Dimedi showcases Camara’s unique blend of afro-rock, pop, and soul that speaks to the range of heroes influencing her individual sound: Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, Fela Kuti, Baaba Maal and Tina Turner.
As a builder of bridges socially and culturally, Camara’s musical compositions are powerfully constructed to bridge the global gap and bring people together in a captivating blend weaving a beautiful tapestry of musical stories and visions of her beloved home. Natu’s foundation supports local organizations to mentor and empower young girls and support education as a tool to reduce poverty in Guinea. She finds a way to speak to the silent minority through her music.
Natu lives between Conakry (Guinea) and New York and is a music winner of the prestigious 2020 NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre. She is also one of 12 artists at 2021’s GlobalFEST performed virtually on NPR’s Tiny Desk platform. Natu continues to find ways to bring her music to the world, recently winning a Creative Engagement, Creative Learning and UMEZ Arts Engagement grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council with a performance scheduled in Harlem, NY for the Fall 2022.
