An internationally recognized Reunionese musician, singer and poet, Danyel Waro played a fundamental role in the preservation and promotion of Maloya, a traditional song from the ritual heritage of the descendants of slaves, long banned by the neocolonial policy of the French government.

Resisting this attempt at acculturation, Danyel Waro became a defender of Reunionese identity and culture and expressed through his music the suffering and aspirations of the island's inhabitants for full citizenship. In 2009, Maloya was classified as an intangible cultural heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, thus crowning the commitment of an entire people. Today, Danyel Waro inspires a whole generation of artists committed to the defense of reunion.