Winner of the Tamani d'Or in 2006, Malian Djénéba Seck entered the music world at the tender age of eleven. Since then, she has released a string of radio hits and successful albums inspired by traditional proverbs. Born in Bamako to parents of Senegalese origin, Djénéba Seck joined the Mali district theater troupe in the early 80s. She was no more than 11 years old when she took part in the first inter-district artistic competitions in Bamako's Commune 5. She proved to be an actress and dancer with the voice of a nightingale. In 1984, she won the prize for best solo singer at her district's artistic and cultural biennial. This distinction proved to be the turning point. General education gave way to her artistic desires. Unlike many families who do not look favorably on the arts, Djénéba's father, a nurse, and her mother, a midwife, encourage her artistic preference.