– by Ellen Haile, Contributor
Editor’s Note: Last week we spotlighted Black women in Italy that are carving out a space for themselves in popular media. This week, we’re taking a look at their counterparts in France.
What She Does: Malian-French singer Inna Bocoum got her stage name “Modja” from her mother, which essentially translates to “bad” or “not good” in her native tongue. Her parents nurtured her musical talent by enrolling her in a choir and introducing her to different styles of artists. She became known in France with her hit song “French Cancan” (check it out below). Her music often touches on social issues, such as female genital mutilation (something she experienced), and violence against women.
Signature Look: Her hair, left alone in its impeccable halo ‘fro, is only sometimes styled with small flower or bow. When really switching up her style, Inna wraps her hair in brightly colored turbans, which really makes a bold statement!
