Born in Burkina faso(formerly Upper Volta)& grew up in Abidjan,Côte d'Ivoire, Mai Lingani is one of the most talented composers, lyricists, and performers in West Africa.Since 2001 She divides her time between New York City and Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. In 1998: she received the Grand Prix National de la Chansson moderne Burkinabè, the most important music award in her home country, Burkina Faso, in recognition of her talents as a composer and lyricist, and as a performer of her own works. She has also been highly lauded for her amazing live performances in the New York Times, The Daily News, New York Post, The Village voice & more. (http://www.reverbnation.com/mailingani)