#mbafoleye

THE GRIOTS OF WEST AFRICA

Moussa Diakite & Wassado play modern Malian music inspired by the rich musical traditions of his West African homeland.

Moussa Diakite with the Salif Keita Band, The Dakar Festival, Senegal 1993

Welcome (after long absence)

Fatoumata Diawara is a Malian singer-songwriter and multiple Grammy Award nominee

Bako Dagnon, Malian Griot/ Musician

“Recent events in Mali are particularly shocking because it formerly stood as a beacon of democracy in the region. Mali's fundamental inter-ethnic harmony goes back to the 13th century Malian Empire, a peaceful, multi-ethnic regime that thrived across much of West Africa for 200 years. This history is reflected in Mali's rich palette of traditional music. Since its independence from France in 1960, many of these traditions have developed into spectacular popular music genres — the desert blues-rock of the Tuareg and Songhai people in the north, the august praise songs and instrumental virtuosity of the Mande griots (musical historians designated by birth), the loping swing of Wassoulou music from the south and a rich array of pentatonic genres. Vocals range from Delta blues-like grit to near operatic refinement, and the instrumental brilliance expressed on a range of harps, lutes, and wooden-slatted balafons has found its way onto guitar frets and keyboards as the country has embraced Western instruments and influences without losing an ounce of its striking local character. This trend continues right through the emergence of Malian singer-songwriters, rappers and electronic music mixers.”

Moises Saman, en route to Kankan, Guinea