Diarra Sylla (born 30 January 2001), is a French-Senegalese singer, dancer, actress, compositor and model.[1] She was part of the global pop group Now United, representing Senegal,[2][3][4] and left the group in 2020 to pursue her solo career.[5][6]

Diarra Sylla
Born (2001-01-30) 30 January 2001 (age 23)
Other names
  • Mame Diarra Diarra Sylla
Citizenship
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • model
Years active2015–present
Musical career
Genres
Years active2015–present
LabelsXIX Entertainment (2017–2020)
Syft / The Bad Guys (2021)
Loki Artist Group (2022)
Uncut Music Group (2022–2023)
Cavviar Records (2024–present)

Biography

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Sylla was born in Paris, France, but later moved to Dakar, Senegal where she grew up. She is estranged from her biological father, and has only met him a handful of times. During her childhood, she mainly lived with her cousin, as her mother frequently travelled. After performing onstage when she was 6, she decided that her ultimate goal was to become a singer.[7][8][9]

Sylla speaks three languages fluently, French, Wolof and English; she also speaks Turkish, but not fluently.

Career

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2015–2016: Sen P'tit Gallé

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After four years of discouraging her to pursue music, her mother finally allowed her to participate in the 2016 Sen P'tit Gallé, one of the most prominent singing competitions in Africa. She won first place and gained instant recognition.[10]

2017–2020: Now United

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Sylla first heard about Now United through her sister and encouraged her to audition.[11][12] After her successful audition, she was revealed as part of Now United's final lineup on 12 November 2017, being the group's only representative from Africa.[7][13]

In March 2020, Sylla announced that she was preparing her solo career.[14][6][15]

On 5 September 2020, she confirmed in a Hollywood Fix interview in Los Angeles that she had officially departed from the group to pursue solo endeavors.[5][16][17][18] However, even after announcing her departure from the group, she appeared and even sang in some clips of the group. Such as "Pas Le Choix", "Hewale" and "All Around The World".

2021–present: Solo career

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On 25 February 2021, Sylla released "Set Free", the debut song of her solo career.[19][20]

On 12 March 2021, Bruno Martini, Luísa Sonza and Sylla released "Ain't Worried".

On 15 September 2021, Sylla and Marieme released "Catch a Vibe".

On 1 April 2022, Sylla and JayUncut released "Contagious".

On 19 August 2022, Rax and Sylla released "If I".

On 22 September 2022, Sylla and JayUncut released "Runaway".

On 4 November 2022, Sylla and JayUncut released "Comment Vas La Vie".

On 21 July 2023, Tones and I, Bia and Sylla released "Bring It On", the official song of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

On 10 January 2024, Sylla released "On It".

On 14 February 2024, Sylla released "Cupid".

On 4 October 2024, Sylla and Dior Mbaye released "La Famille Au Senegal Oui".

Discography

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Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released
Title Year Peaks Album
FRA
"Set Free"[21] 2021 Non-album single
"Ain't Worried"[22]
(with Bruno Martini and Luísa Sonza)
Original[23]
"Catch a Vibe"[24]
(with Marieme)
Non-album singles
"Contagious"[25]
(with JayUncut)
2022
"If I"[26]
(with Rax)
"Runaway"[27]
(with JayUncut)
"Comment Vas La Vie"[28]
(with JayUncut)
"Bring It On"[29]
(with Tones and I and Bia)
2023
"On It"[30] 2024 TBA
"Cupid"[31]
"La Famille Au Senegal Oui"[32]
(with Dior Mbaye)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Influence

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Sylla is the most followed Senegalese woman on Instagram, with over 3 million followers on the social network.[33][34][35]

She was featured on the cover and featured as a global icon of the North American magazine, Bloom Xo, in June 2021.

Appeared on the cover of and featured in the North American magazine, Grind Pretty Magazine, in the December/Winter 2021.

Filmography

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Year Title Grade(s) Ref.
2016 Sen P'tit Gallé Participant (1st Place) [36][37][38]

Documentaries

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Year Title Character Notes Reference
2018 Meet Diarra Herself Frame on Now United's YouTube channel, where she talks about her entire life story until she reaches the group
Dreams Come True: The Documentary Documentary showing the creation of the global pop group Now United [39]

In July 2021 Sylla appeared I one of the episodes of the documentary "Trace Trends", which deals with Afro-urban culture. [1]

In September 2021, Sylla made a special appearance on the WebSerie on the YouTube platform of the channel "ElhadjTV".

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Nominated Result Ref.
2020 You Pop Awards Cat of the Year Diarra Sylla Nominated [40]

With Now United

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References

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  1. ^ "Diarra Sylla: 15 curiosidades sobre a senegalesa do Now United". Letras.mus.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  2. ^ "(12 Photos) Mame Diarra de S'en Petit Gallé déchire la toile". DAKARPRIVEE.COM (in French). 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2020-09-02.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ "Les artistes du groupe Now United reçus par Abdou Latif Coulibaly". Journal du Senegal (in French). 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  4. ^ "Simon Fuller's Now United Sign Global Sponsorship Deal With Pepsi: Exclusive". www.billboard.com. 2019-01-08. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  5. ^ a b "Diarra Sylla confirma que não faz mais parte do Now United e iniciará oficialmente sua carreira solo em breve". POPline (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-09-06. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  6. ^ a b Torres, Leonardo (2020-03-11). "Diarra Sylla, do Now United, confirma preparativos para carreira solo". POPline (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  7. ^ a b kgb. "Les artistes du groupe Now United reçus par Abdou Latif Coulibaly | Homeview Sénégal". Archived from the original on 2021-07-29. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  8. ^ Ndiaye, Penda (2020-07-22). "Les Nouvelles photos de Mame Diarra Sen petit Gallé qui secouent instagram. (Photos)". SeneNews.com (in French). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  9. ^ "Mame Diarra Sen Petit Gallé | SeneNews.com - Actualité au Sénégal, toute actualité du jour". www.senenews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  10. ^ "Sen P'tit Gallé | SeneNews.com - Actualité au Sénégal, toute actualité du jour". www.senenews.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  11. ^ Tine, Modou Mamoune (2019-09-27). "Mame Diarra Sen Petit Gallé passe du bon temps avec Tyga, l'ex de Kylie Jenner (photos)". SeneNews.com (in French). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  12. ^ Oulimata (2018-11-06). "Vidéo – " All Day " : le nouveau clip de Mame Diarra " Sen P'tit Gallé " et Now United". Dakar92 (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  13. ^ "L'arrivée Du Groupe Now United Avec Mame Diarra à Dakar". buzzsenegal.com. 2020-09-01. Archived from the original on 2018-07-05. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  14. ^ "ENTREVISTA: Diarra Sylla conta por que não veio com o Now United ao Brasil - Febre Teen" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-03-28. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  15. ^ "Diarra Sylla, integrante do Now United, confirma que fará carreira solo". Palco Pop (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-03-12. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  16. ^ "Diarra Sylla dá a entender que realmente saiu do Now United e conta novos detalhes sobre primeiro single - Febre Teen" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2020-09-06. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  17. ^ Frasinelli, Isabela Pascoal (2020-09-06). "Diarra Sylla fala sobre saída do Now United e revela detalhes da carreira solo". TodaTeen (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2021-03-01. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  18. ^ Pinheiro, Otavio. "Diarra Sylla confirma que não faz mais parte do Now United: "Vou para minha carreira solo"". Poltrona Vip (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2020-09-07.
  19. ^ "Meagan Good Directs New Video on Racial Injustice for Artist Diarra: 'We Don't Want to Shy Away'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  20. ^ "Diarra Sylla lança vídeo de "Set Free", com elementos da cultura senegalesa e homenagem aos Panteras Negras". POPline (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2021-02-25.
  21. ^ "Set Free - Single by Diarra Sylla". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  22. ^ "Ain't Worried - Single by Bruno Martini, Luísa Sonza & Diarra Sylla". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  23. ^ "Original by Bruno Martini". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  24. ^ "Catch a Vibe - Single by Diarra Sylla & Marieme". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  25. ^ "Contagious - Single by Diarra Sylla & JayUncut". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  26. ^ "If I - Single by Rax & Diarra Sylla". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  27. ^ "Runaway - Single by Diarra Sylla & JayUncut". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "Comment Vas La Vie - Single by Diarra Sylla & JayUncut". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  29. ^ "BRING IT ON - Single by Tones and I, BIA & Diarra Sylla". Apple Music. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  30. ^ "On It - Single by Diarra Sylla". Apple Music. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  31. ^ "Cupid - Single by Diarra Sylla". Apple Music. Retrieved February 14, 2024.
  32. ^ "LA FAMILLE AU SENEGAL OUI - Single by Diarra Sylla & Dior Mbaye". Apple Music. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  33. ^ ndiaye (2020-08-02). "(06 Photos) : Le nouveau post très intrigant de Diarra Sylla " Sen Petit Gallé " fait beaucoup réagir". Dakar92 (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  34. ^ "Les Nouvelles photos de Mame Diarra Sen petit Gallé qui secouent instagram. | Galsen221" (in French). 2020-07-23. Archived from the original on 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-09-02.
  35. ^ ndiaye (2020-09-05). "Célébrités sur Instagram : Entre gains et profits". Dakar92 (in French). Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  36. ^ "Finale Sen Petit Gallé: Mame Diarra gagne l'édition 2016". Senego.com - Actualité au Sénégal, toute actualité du jour (in French). 2016-12-25. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  37. ^ Rédaction, La. "Vidéo- Edition 2016 de « Sen Petit Gallé » : Mame Diarra remporte la finale.Regardez". Senegal7 (in French). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  38. ^ "Sen Petit Gallé Superstar: Mame Diarra gagne la finale". Dakar7.com (in French). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  39. ^ "Now United lança documentário mostrando como tudo começou! - Febre Teen" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 2018-12-29. Retrieved 2020-10-24.
  40. ^ "YOU POP » YOU POP AWARDS! Vote nos seus favoritos:". Archived from the original on 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
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