Raising awareness about Somalia is a primary mission for K'Naan. Traore seems more concerned with raising consciousness at home than abroad; she's overseeing the completion of her new home in Bamako.
"My audience in Africa is really young," she said. "I would like to inspire them to be more self-confident. . . . For Africans in general, and especially young people, everything from Western countries is better. And white is better than black and whatever white can do, black can't do. I think even when they say the opposite, they think that way. So many things are linked to the inferiority complex we get from the colonization.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Friday, March 27, 2009 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 4 National Desk 1 inches; 35 words Type of Material: Correction
African music: An article about African music in Sunday's Arts & Books section identified James Diener as chief executive and president of Octone Records. His correct title is chief executive and president of A&M/Octone Records.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday, March 29, 2009 Home Edition Sunday Calendar Part D Page 2 Calendar Desk 1 inches; 29 words Type of Material: Correction
African music: An article last Sunday about African music identified James Diener as CEO and president of Octone Records. His correct title is CEO and president of A&M/Octone Records.
"I had the chance to start traveling when I was really young, and I discovered Africa the same time as Europe, so I don't have any complex," she continued. "I don't presume to think I can change people's attitudes, but I can do what I do, and I can say what I feel."
Traore has a 2-year-old son -- that's the other reason she's returning to Mali. But it's also why she'll leave again. Discussing her personal plans, she almost seems to be speaking of the way African music itself moves now. "I think I wanted him to know about my country and live there," she said. "If I have the resources in a few years, we will move from there to an English-speaking country. I would like him to travel as I did."
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ann.powers@latimes.com
