Salif Keita

Salif Keita, known as “Africa’s golden voice,” is one of the great pioneers of Afro-pop. One of the continent’s biggest musicians of all time emerged through a series of successful albums and world tours.

He was born a prince, directly descended from the king and founder of Mali, and was thus forbidden from singing, according to tradition. But he challenged those conventions and became a musician. In the 60s and 70s, he sang in the legendary Super Rail Band de Bamako and Les Ambassadeurs.

With the album Soro, Salif Keita became one of the founders of Afro-pop. He lived in France in the 80s and has always endeavoured to build bridges between the African continent and the rest of the world. At the turn of the millennium, he returned to Mali and wove his experiences together into music so impressive that it amazed the continent of Africa and the rest of the world.

Based on his own experience of living with albinism, he has worked tirelessly with charities to combat stigma against people with albinism in Africa.

In cooperation with Selam (opens in a new window)