Marceline Amenan Kouadio, a member of the Baule ethnic group in Côte d'Ivoire, became familiar with singing and defended the musical colors of her peers. Although information about her private life remains discreet, she has become a leading female figure in Ivorian music. The author of four albums, she caused a sensation with her public in 1997, the year of the release of Mowa. With her song of the same name, Mossia conquered her audience and became one of a handful of female artists in a milieu where they still remain isolated. Although Mohaé, an album released in 2000, confirmed the singer's musical identity, modernizing and popularizing Baoulé ethnic sounds, her career came to an abrupt halt. On June 18, 2003, the whole of Côte d'Ivoire was shocked to learn of Mossia's death. While many rumors circulated about her illness and the preparation of a fifth album, many figures in Ivorian and Baoulé music, such as Antoinette Konan, paid tribute to the artist who had died so prematurely.
