Salif Keita

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african, world, mali, world music, africa… see all

Bamako

Salif Keita (born 25 August 1949) is an internationally recognized Afro-Pop singer and song writer from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he is an albino and a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita.

Keita was born on August 25, 1949 in the city of Djoliba. He was outcast by his family and ostracized by the community because he was an albino, a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture. He left Djoliba for Bamako in 1967, where he joined the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. In 1973 Keita joined the group, Les Ambassadeurs. Keita and Les Ambassadeurs fled political unrest in Mali during the mid-1970s for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and subsequently changed the groups name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales. The reputation of Les Ambassadeurs Internationales rose to the interational level in the 1970s and in 1977 Keita received a National Order award from the president of Guinea, Sékou Touré.

Keita moved to Paris in 1984 to reach a larger audience. His music combines traditional West African music styles with influences from both Europe and the Americas, while maintaining an overall Islamic style. Musical instruments that are commonly featured in Keita’s work include balafons, djembes, guitars, koras, organs, saxophones, and synthesizers.

His latest album, M’Bemba, was released in October 2005.

Moffou
Salif Keita
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M'Bemba
Salif Keita
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"Folon" ...The Past
Salif Keita
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Golden Voice - The Very Best Of Salif Keita
Salif Keita
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Top Tracks

1	Madan	242
2	Yamore	192
3	Baba	121
4	Souvent	112
5	Iniagige	98
6	Katolon	93
7	Dery full track	86
8	Here	85
9	Folon full track	82
10	Tekere full track	76
10	Bobo full track	76
12	Koukou	71
13	Mandjou full track	69
13	Ana Na Ming	69
15	Calculer full track	65

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CinnamonBlack wrote:
Thursday morning

as a dancer this music bring a WHOLE concert to mind one JazzFest in New Orleans per Katrina, while modeling on the same Congo Square Stage..THANKS for the Great memory

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trusip wrote:
last month

great work, love it

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MarAndres wrote:
last month

Schön !!!!

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wizardovski wrote:
August 2008

Seydou...genious, so simple, but so great.

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AndrewDOliver wrote:
July 2008

wonderful, A voice full of melancholy and experience of the world.

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Fleurdesaison wrote:
July 2008

amazing :D

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KingDannyIII wrote:
June 2008

check out his videos and concerts and prepare to be reborn!!

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kitwalker wrote:
May 2008

brilliant.

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dgallego wrote:
May 2008

my first time..... is just great!!!!!

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[deleted-user] wrote:
April 2008

hahaha, eu também descobri por causa da musica da daniela ^^
bem-te-vi wrote:
April 2008

Quando ouvi Salif Keita, dancei...

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tzavala wrote:
April 2008

I believe my ears are fine and I also believe myself to possess sensibility. As for this type of music, I think it's his style specifically that I don't like and not the genre. I don't mean to denigrate your appreciation of Salif, but he is still my least favorite Musician to come out of Mali. I'm glad you guys like him, though. More power!

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thedarkestangel wrote:
March 2008

looks like people worship the royal family whatever their position is. mandjou wasnt bad though

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ank3n wrote:
March 2008

Hey Salif, I ka nan Nfaga. Mogoden.... Baramogo!

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abbyemery wrote:
February 2008

I love him, but I have often had debates about his eligibility to win a MOBO? o.O

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Sheer_Zed wrote:
February 2008

I bought Soro back in the day. It is absolutely Fan-bloody-tastic. I do not in anyway sound like him at www.myspace.com/sheerzed

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ewalker_50 wrote:
February 2008

I LOVE YOU KEITA!!!!!!

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timish wrote:
February 2008

:) first time i hear this guy - he rocks. tra la la :))))

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gggmestizo wrote:
February 2008

Tzavala, one thing is that you don't like this kind of music; other is that you don't have enough sensibility to enjoy it or that you have audition's problems. Try an ear's specialist.

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sincelest wrote:
January 2008

mandjou my song, like a legend...

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Events

Apr 18 Salif Keita Salle Pleyel, Paris, France
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Recent Activity

rtunley, turtleluna, redscotty and 30 other people added Salif Keita to their libraries. 3 hours ago
SirAlecHendrix connected Salif Keita to the group borderline Jazz. Friday evening
buddhacocinas, chadchad42, TEUL and 24 other people added Salif Keita to their libraries. Friday evening
McYoda tagged Salif Keita with ‘blues’. August 2008
coloncolon tagged Salif Keita with ‘west african’. August 2008
penn07, unionworkeruk, Curiousella78 and 4 other people added Salif Keita to their libraries. August 2008
Donadonadona connected Salif Keita to the group nosotras. August 2008
abanga, LarrySwanson, Arabicas and 4 other people added Salif Keita to their libraries. August 2008
jovato23 tagged Salif Keita with ‘world music’ and ‘jazz fusion’. August 2008
miwithekiwi, asowanja, cafekili and 2 other people added Salif Keita to their libraries. August 2008