Star Feminine Band Explained

Star Feminine Band
Origin:Natitingou, Benin
Years Active:2016-present
Label:Born Bad Records
Current Members:
  • Julienne
  • Grace
  • Benie
  • Urrice
  • Angélique
  • Marguerite
  • Anne
  • Sandrine

Star Feminine Band are a band consisting of eight girl musicians from Benin, born between 2003 and 2010. The group sing songs on social topics, often with a feminist message.

Formation

Star Feminine Band was the brainchild of Beninese musician André Balaguemon. Balaguemon, who moved from central Benin to Natitingou, collaborated with the city's mayor to organise music workshops for local girls, using Balaguemon's own instruments[1] and advertising the project on local radio.[2] The project had the aim of empowering local girls and defending their rights; Balaguemon stated that the band was about addressing the way women are mistreated by men. The group sing in a number of languages, including English, French, Waama, Peul, Ditammari and Fon. At first locals rejected the idea of girls playing music, but according to Balaguemon, after their first concert they were widely accepted.[3]

Musical career

Having rehearsed together for two years, the group came to the attention of French musical engineer Jéremie Verdier, who was volunteering in Benin at the time and heard the group rehearsing. Verdier, now the manager of the group, recorded demo tapes for the groups. The band signed to Born Bad Records in 2020, and released their first self-titled album.[4] [5] They released their second album, In Paris, in 2022. Later that year the band featured on the track "Look Away, Look Away" by The Go! Team.[6]

The band's songs are often about social topics, including the rights of women,[7] female genital mutilation and forced marriage.[8] Their musical style has been described as a mix of genres including garage rock, psychedelia and Congolese rumba.[9] The group have performed at numerous major festivals, including Glastonbury[10] and Roskilde.[11]

In 2023, Star Feminine Band were named as UNICEF Young Champions for their activism.[12]

Members

Discography

Albums

Notes and References

  1. News: Sawa . Dale Berning . 2020-12-22 . 'When we play, everyone dances!' Benin girl group Star Feminine Band . 2024-11-28 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  2. Web site: Rugoff . Lazlo . 2020-10-09 . Beninese girl crew Star Feminine Band merge sato, highlife and rumba on debut album . 2024-11-28 . The Vinyl Factory . en-US.
  3. News: Roll . Nick . May 28, 2022 . Like The Linda Lindas, this teen girl band in Benin makes you dance — and think . NPR.
  4. News: Kalia . Ammar . 2022-08-12 . Star Feminine Band: In Paris review – virtuosity meets protest on all-girl group’s second LP . 2024-11-28 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  5. Web site: Sterdan . Darryl . 2020-12-29 . Now Hear This: Star Feminine Band Star Feminine Band . 2024-11-28 . Tinnitist . en-CA.
  6. Web site: 2022-10-26 . The Go Team Debut New Song & Video "Look Away, Look Away" Featuring The Star Feminine Band - . 2024-11-28 . mxdwn Music . en-US.
  7. News: The girl group singing about rights for women and girls . 2024-11-28 . BBC Newsround . en-GB.
  8. Web site: 2022-07-08 . Star Feminine Band denounces forced marriage . 2024-11-28 . PAM - Pan African Music . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2020-11-18 . Star Feminine Band unveils a classy video . 2024-11-28 . PAM - Pan African Music . en-US.
  10. News: Beaumont-Thomas . Ben . Snapes . Laura . MacDonald . Keza . Mumford . 2023-06-23 . Friday at Glastonbury 2023: Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Kelis and more – as it happened . 2024-11-28 . the Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  11. Web site: Wolkoff . Christian . 2022-02-24 . Roskilde Festival: Se dagsplanen for årets program . 2024-11-28 . SOUNDVENUE.COM . da-DK.
  12. Web site: Koné . Fanta . 10 November 2023 . " Star Feminine Band " nommées Jeunes Championnes de l'UNICEF pour les droits des filles . UNICEF . fr.
  13. Web site: 2023-08-20 . Teenage performers from Benin use girl power to take on the world . 2024-11-28 . RFI . en.

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