Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels. In July 2003, he was made a UNDP Youth Emissary.
Biography
Born 12 November 1953. Since his father was a fisherman, Baaba Maal was expected to become a fisherman as well. However, Baaba Maal devoted himself to learning music from his mother and his school's headmaster. He went on to study music at the university in Dakar before leaving for postgraduate studies on a scholarship at Beaux-Arts in Paris. He has become quite famous in Africa and is also the most internationally famous musician from Senegal, with the possible exception of Yossou N'Dour.Baaba sings primarily in Pulaar
Baaba Maal: African performer sings and acts on his social conscience and is the foremost promoter of the traditions of the Pulaar-speaking peoples who live on either side of the Senegal River in the ancient Senegalese kingdom of Futa Tooro.On 7 July, 2007 Maal performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.
Music
After returning from study in Paris, Baaba studied traditional music with his blind guitarist and family griot, Mansour Seck, and began performing with the band Daande Lenol. Maal's fusions continued into the next decade with his Firin' in Fouta (1994) album, which used ragga, salsa and Breton harp music to create a popular sound that launched the careers of Positive Black Soul, a group of rappers, and also led to the formation of the Afro-Celt Sound System. His fusion tendencies continued on 1998's Nomad Soul, which featured Brian Eno as one of seven producers. In addition to his various solo releases, he was featured on two tracks - "Bushes" and "Dunya Salam" - on the concept album "1 Giant Leap".
Discography
- 1989 ? Djam Leelii (with Mansour Seck) ? Mango Records
- 1991 ? Baayo (with Mansour Seck) ? Mango
- 1992 ? Lam Toro ? Mango
- 1994 ? Wango ? Syllart
- 1994 ? Firin' in Fouta ? Mango
- 1995 ? Gorel ? 4th & Broadway
- 1997 ? Taara ? Melodie
- 1998 ? Nomad Soul ? Import
- 1998 ? Djam Leelii: The Adventurers ? Yoff Productions
- 1999 ? Live at the Royal Festival Hall ? Palm Pictures ? Palm (DVD)
- 2000 ? Jombaajo ? Sonodisc
- 2001 ? Missing You ? Palm
- 2003 ? The Best of the Early Years ? Wrasse (compilation)
- 2005 ? Baaba Maal ? Palm (compilation)
Import releases
- Jombaajo
- Ngalanka
- Ndilane
References
External links
Senegalese musiciansSingersGuitaristsLiving peopleYear of birth missing Baaba MaalBaaba MaalBaaba Maal
