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Salif Keita

NTS aired an episode dedicated to the music of Salif Keita on 28 November 2023. Salif Keita has been played on NTS over 30 times, featured on 30 episodes and was first played on 26 February 2014.

Salif Keita (b. 25 August 1949), is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer and songwriter from Djoliba, Mali. He has a reputation as the "Golden Voice of Africa", he is also a descendant of the Mali Empire's founder, Sundiata Keita.

He was outcast by his family & ostracized by the community, because he was an albino - a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture. In 1967, he left Djoliba for Bamako, where he joined the government-sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako (aka Super Rail Band). 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 & changed the group's name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales. The reputation of Les Ambassadeurs Internationales rose to the international 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 balafon, djembe, guitar, kora, organ, saxophone, and synthesizer.

His album, M'Bemba, was released in October 2005.

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Salif Keita

NTS aired an episode dedicated to the music of Salif Keita on 28 November 2023. Salif Keita has been played on NTS over 30 times, featured on 30 episodes and was first played on 26 February 2014.

Salif Keita (b. 25 August 1949), is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer and songwriter from Djoliba, Mali. He has a reputation as the "Golden Voice of Africa", he is also a descendant of the Mali Empire's founder, Sundiata Keita.

He was outcast by his family & ostracized by the community, because he was an albino - a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture. In 1967, he left Djoliba for Bamako, where he joined the government-sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako (aka Super Rail Band). 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 & changed the group's name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales. The reputation of Les Ambassadeurs Internationales rose to the international 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 balafon, djembe, guitar, kora, organ, saxophone, and synthesizer.

His album, M'Bemba, was released in October 2005.

Original source Last.fm

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Sina (Soumbouya)
Salif Keita
Wrasse Records2001
Mandjou
Salif Keita
Mango1995
Cono
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Nou Pas Bouger
Salif Keita (Joe Galdo, Paul "Groucho" Smykle mix)
Mango1990
Tekere
Salif Keita
Mango1995
Yamore
Salif Keita
Universal Jazz2002
Tam Tam Pour L'Éthiopie (Part One)
Starvation/Tam Tam Pour L'Éthiopie feat. Touré Kunda, Ghetto Blaster, Mory Kanté, M'Bamina, Salif Keita, Souzy Kasseya, Manu Dibango, Ray Lema, King Sunny Ade
Zarjazz1985
Soro (Afriki)
Salif Keita
Mango1987
Wassolon Foli
Ambassadeurs, Salif Keita
MRA Entertainment Group Pty Ltd, Destra Entertainment2007
Yamore
Salif Keita feat. Cesaria Evora (Benja, Franc Fala, Moblack mix)
Decca Records2024

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