Salif Keita
25 August 1949 – present
Salif Keita is a Malian singer and songwriter, often described as the golden voice of Africa, whose work blends Mandinka griot traditions with Afro-pop, jazz and European instrumentation. Born with albinism into a noble lineage in which singing was traditionally reserved for griots, he sang with the Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs before a long international solo career.
Lived at the same time
Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Salif Keita.
- Ada Yonath (1939–2026) Overlapped 77 years →
- Adonis (1930–present) Overlapped 77 years →
- Akira Yoshino (1948–present) Overlapped 77 years →
- Alex Ferguson (1941–present) Overlapped 77 years →
- Ali Khamenei (1939–2026) Overlapped 77 years →
- Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948–present) Overlapped 77 years →
Life events
Born with albinism into a family descended from the founder of the Mali Empire.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgLeft his home village for the Malian capital, where he began performing.
Sang with the state-sponsored band based at Bamako's railway station hotel.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgLeft the Rail Band for the rival Bamako group Les Ambassadeurs.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgThe group continued as Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux and recorded the song Mandjou.
Settled in France to reach a wider international audience.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgHis first international solo album, which brought him worldwide attention.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgAn acoustic-leaning record that marked a return to Malian roots.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgEstablished a foundation supporting people with albinism in Africa.
Announced as his final studio album, it was dedicated to people with albinism.
Source: en.wikipedia.org