Salif Keita is a Malian-born singer. Here is all you need to know about him.
Salif Keita Early Life
Salif Keita born 25th August 1949 in Djoliba, Mali. Born a prince, he can trace his lineage to Sundiata Keita,,, the founder of the Mali Empire.
His community ostracised Keitafirst, because he was born with albinism. The community considerd this a harbinger of doom. Secondly, since he decided to pursue a music career as a teenager his choice met with opposition from many.
Thus his nature and choices met with opposition from many.
Music Career
Despite the criticism, Salif left Djoliba for Bamako, where he started as a singer and later joined the Super Rali Band de Bamako. Then in the mid-1970s, when there was political unrest in Mali, he and his bandmates fled to Abidjan and started a new band called Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux. Salif and his bandmates finally became highly successful, especially after they released the album Mandjou in 1978.
To grow internationally and reach a wider audience, Salif moved to Paris in 1984 where he combined West African with European and American styles to create a sweet melody.
Some of his notable works are “Soro”, “Mandjou” “Amen”, which are a combination of jazz, rhythm, and blues.
Find out more about other African musicians here
Awards and Charities
In 1977, Guinean president Sekou Toure conferred Salif with the National Order of Guinea, , , a very prestigious title. In honour of the title, Salif composed a song for the president titled “Mandjou” In 2019. Salif Keita won the La Mar de Musicas award in Cartagena, Spain.
In 2005, Salif Keita established the Salif Keita Global Foundation organisationsation that creates awareness of people with albinism. His foundation ensures that Albinos are not marginalised and receive equal treatment. When asked why he chose to establish his organisationation, Salif said he had experienced firsthand the challenges of albinism.
He released a song titled La Difference,,, a tribute to his albinism.
Salif Keita has retired and is currently living in Bamako while entirely devoting himself to his foundation. His wife is Coumba Makalou. together they have two children now grown, daughter Nantenin Keïta who is an athlete and Sidyki Keita an animal husbandry export.
