Salif keita parents
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Salif Keita
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Known around the world as "The Golden Voice of Mali," Salif Keita's unique sound blends the traditional styles of his West African homeland with influences from Cuba, Spain, Portugal, and the Middle East. The instrumentation that accompanies his singing represents a fusion of European and African popular music, ranging from guitar, organ, and sax to traditional African instruments such as the kora, balafon, and djembe, often synthesized and sampled. He has enjoyed a prosperous career not only in his native Mali, where he was awarded the National Order of Guinea, but also in Europe and America, where he became well-known after moving to Paris and collaborating with other African musicians based there.
In 1968, in the Malian capital of Bamako, a 19-year-old albino boy scrapped the conventions of his noble ancestry to become a professional singer. Poor despite his social standing, rebellious, and vexed by poor eyesight, the boy chose music over the only alternative he saw, a life of crime. Salif Keita sang w
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Salif Keita
Salif Keita | |
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Keita in 2015 | |
| Also known as | The Golden Voice of Africa |
| Born | (1949-08-25) 25 August 1949 (age 75) |
| Origin | Djoliba, Mali |
| Genres | African |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | Mid-1970s–2018 |
Musical artist
African singer-songwriter from Mali (born 1949)
For other people named Salif Keita, see Salif Keita (disambiguation).
Salif Keïta (IPA:[salifkeita]) (born 25 August 1949)[1] is a Malian singer-songwriter, referred to as the "Golden Voice of Africa". He is a member of the Keita royal family of Mali.
Early life
Salif Keita was born a traditional prince in the village of Djoliba.[2] He was born to the Keita royal family, who trace their lineage to Sundiata Keita, founder of the Mali Empire.[1] He was cast out by his family and ostracized by the community because of his albinism, a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture.[3] He decided to pursue music in his teenage years, further distancing him from his family as that was against occupational prohibitions of his n
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SALIF KEITA
From: Mali
On stage: Fri 05 Apr 21:50
KJF 24 brings us one of the biggest names in world music.
Celebrating difference, praising it through music is a theme that has always governed Keita's paths. Keita's fight was tough against the discrimination he was subjected to since he was a child because he was albino, a characteristic linked to bad luck in Mandingo culture. Thus, he moved to Bamako, where he joined the band “Super Rail Band“ and, in 1973, joined “Les Ambassadeurs”.
At the end of the 70s, his merit was recognized, some awards appeared, and in the 80s, he moved to the world music's big stage – Paris, where he caught the attention of producers and musicians such as Zawinul, Carlos Santana, Cesária Évora, among others.
Record “Amén” is the first African album nominated for a Grammy. In his latest album “Un Autre Blanc”, the interest in the musical mix resulting from what the musician has collected over time: Pop Influences, merge with the sounds of Mali, Funk, but the essential is always the typical sound that Keita achieves in a perfect
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