Noura Mint Seymali

“A hypnotic, elemental voice, microtonal desert guitar and the propulsive force of Mauritania’s Moorish griot tradition – Noura Mint Seymali and her band bring a singular sound to stages worldwide, alchemising centuries of heritage into something fiercely original, untamed and thrillingly alive.”

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Noura Mint Seymali is Mauritania’s defining artist on the international stage, carrying the rich legacy of Moorish griot music into a thrilling contemporary sound. Born into one of Mauritania’s most distinguished musical families, she began performing at 13 alongside her stepmother, the legendary Dimi Mint Abba. Trained by her grandmother in the art of the ardine, a traditional harp reserved for women, Noura has become one of the most compelling voices in Saharan music.

Blending intricate modal melodies and the poetic traditions of Moorish music with psychedelic guitar, Saharan funk and propulsive rhythms, Noura creates a sound that is unmistakably her own. Her hypnotic vocals and commanding stage presence lead a formidable quartet featuring guitarist Jeich Ould Chighaly, bassist Ousmane Touré and drummer Matthew Tinari. Together, they transform centuries-old musical traditions into something raw, adventurous and urgently alive.

Her international albums Tzenni (2014) and Arbina (2016), both released on Glitterbeat Records, reached No. 1 on the World Music Charts Europe, establishing her as a major presence on the global stage. In 2014, she won the African Union’s All Africa Music Awards prize for Best Female Artist in North Africa. Her 2025 album Yenbett continued that trajectory, reaching No. 1 on the World Music Charts Europe and winning the 2026 Jahrespreis from Germany’s prestigious Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik.

A commanding live performer, Noura has toured internationally across Europe, Africa, North America and Asia. In 2025, she also received the WOMEX Artist Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to music. Through her singular artistic vision, she continues to bring the vitality and adventurous spirit of Mauritanian music to audiences worldwide.

  • “The arrival of Mauritanian vocalist Noura Mint Seymali in front of Western audiences feels like the start of a new era.”

    NPR

  • “Deliriously compulsive pop”

    The Wire