Young girls, aged 12 to 19, from northern Benin: here is the Star Feminine Band, a group like no other, which has just released its second album, “In Paris”, after being spotted by a label French, Born Bad Records. A story like few exist, against a backdrop of commitment and feminism.
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There is an unstoppable form of rhythm in the music of the Star Feminine Band, between crazy energy and almost constant positivity. However, this group of young Beninese, all from Natitingou in the north-west of the country, had never made music six years ago.
At the time, they were recruited on press release by the musician André Balaguemon, who stuck modern instruments in their hands. Dorcas and Sandrine, two of the band members, remember: “We were touching the guitar or the drums for the first time, so at first it was a bit difficult“.
Since then, they have been spotted by the formidable and adventurous French label Born Bad Records, have played at the Trans Musicales or the Eurockéennes. Since their first concert in front of their family, they have never ceased to amaze their community, unaccustomed to seeing women, especially minors, singing and playing music.
Because more than the music, there is the background. The eight young girls, aged 12 to 19 today, tackle taboo subjects at home, in a very ossified society.
“With us, women are not respected, they are mistreated in society, that’s why we sing about their rights.”
Dorcas, singer and percussionist of Star Feminine Bandat franceinfo
On this second album, they now also sing in English, a clear sign of the universality of their message, and their recent appointment as ambassadors for Unicef says nothing else.
The Star Feminine Band awakens Beninese society | Report by Yann Bertrand
to listen
Star Feminine Band, In Paris (Born Bad Records). Album available. On tour, November 9 in Paris.