Benin singer Sessime takes on the marriage bullies

“I was very, very influenced by Angélique Kidjo,” says Beninois singer-songwriter Sessime.

“At the beginning of my career all I was singing was Angélique Kidjo songs. People often say: ‘She’s following Angélique Kidjo’s footsteps, she’s going to succeed her,’ but I hope that Angélique Kidjo still has a great career in front of her.”

Sessime’s own career has developed a lot since those days. She has been named best artist in Benin twice, and has produced an extensive body of music, including collaborations, for example Diyo, featuring Nigerian artist Omawumi.

Sessime says the song which has had the biggest impact is Tatouage, released in 2021. It tells the story of how Sessime was bullied by some fans because she has reached 30 and is “still” not married, nor does she have any children.

“Every time I posted a photo on social media it was: ‘Go have a kid, go get married.’ Every time I dropped a song: ‘Go and have a child, go and find a husband’. All the time insults, all the time talking about me and throwing stones. It really nearly pushed me into depression. I couldn’t write any more or even compose. On stage I wasn’t myself, I was taking pills to be able to get to sleep sometimes.”

The effect on Sessime was so bad that she needed help to write Tatouage.

“Tina is a Gabonese rapper and I told her my whole story and it is she who put it into words.”

The response Tatouage received was deeply affecting for Sessime: “Women called me saying: ‘Sessime bravo!’

“Men called me saying: ‘I have problems conceiving and people are attacking me in the family.’

“Lots of people are bearing the weight of this African society, the weight of not being married, or being married and not having children. It’s not just a problem for Sessime.

“As artists we need to sing about the problems that ordinary people face, so that people can have a bit of satisfaction and be healed a little bit.

“It’s important for people to understand that it’s in our differences that we bring more to humanity. We need to accept others as they are. Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean other people have to not like it also.

“Why do we want others to be like us and look like us? If someone wants to be a certain way to be just blooming and happy, let them live their life in peace.

“Don’t load emotional stress on them when they already have their own struggles in life.”

By BBC