The group comes from Natitingou, in the northwestof Benin. Composed of young girls aged 10 to 16, the
Star Feminine Band offers modern music inspired by tradition, and on which they sing the African woman.
Sandrine Ouei, one of his musicians, André Balaguemon, who conducts the orchestra, and Jean-Baptiste Guillot, who signed him to his label, Born Bad, tell us about an unusual adventure.
For the Star Féminine Band, it all started with an announcement broadcast on Natitingou radio. In this town in northwestern Benin, located about ten hours by bus from Cotonou, a musician, André Balaguemon, offers free training to young girls to learn music: a school after school.
Modern music inspired by tradition The Star Feminine Band mixes drums with a modern band base, with guitar, bass, drums, and two keyboards. Aged 10 to 16, the seven musicians who compose it are the oldest students of André Balaguemon. They play music that Western ears would describe as African rock.
In truth, it is «modern, traditionally inspired music», indicates the professor. The eight pieces are sung in Peul, Bariba, Ditammari, Waama and French. They use the rhythms of these different peoples living in Atacora. Furiously communicative, they are quick to bring anyone onto a dancefloor. «Dancing is very important. This is a value that the continent must preserve. When you have a rhythm, you have to sketch the steps that go with it,” he continues.
