Afia Mala & Orchestre BLACK SANTIAGO (Togo/1978)

It all started with two royal families from Togo and Benin. A princess was born on the banks of the river Mono, her name was Afiwavi Mawaulana Missohou, who later became to be known as Afia Mala. When she was small she often accompanied her mother to the traditional singing lessons of the Habobo women. This was during the time of the great Bella Bellow, the Togolese Lady of the blues. In 1984, "Ten Homte" (Black Earth) was selected by Radio France International listeners as their favourite song during their talent competition "Discovery". In 1992, Afia was nominated "Best African Female Vocalist". In 2008 she recorded an album in Cuba with the famous Aragon Orchestra. This single was recorded with Ignace de Souza and his Black Santiago Orchestra in 1978.

Afia Mala est comunément appelée "Princesse du Mono". Elle commence sa carrière en 1974, à l'époque de la grande Bella Bellow, princesse du blues Togolais. Née de sang royale, elle fait ses armes avec sa mère à travers les chants traditionnels Habobo. En 1984, elle reçoit le Prix découverte de RFI et en 1992, est nommée "Meilleur chanteuse Africaine". Enfin, en 2008, elle se rend à Cuba pour enregister un album avec le célèbre Orquestra Aragon. Ce 45 tours a été enregistré en 1978 avec Ignace de Souza et son Orchestre Black Santiago.