Salif Keita

Salif Keïta, born August 25, 1949 in Djoliba (Mali), is a Malian singer and musician. He is the father of the French athlete Nantenin Keïta, specialist in the 400 meters and double Paralympic champion.

Salif Keïta is a descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keïta. Suffering from albinism, he dreams of becoming a teacher but is rejected because of his poor eyesight. He then decides to become a singer, traditionally, music is reserved for the griot caste, and the Keïta are a family of princes. He was rejected by his family and left for Bamako in 1968. He joined saxophonist Tidiani Koné's group, the "Rail Band De Bamako". Then in 1973, he joined the group "Les Ambassadeurs", then he moved to Abidjan, Ivory Coast. In 1978, he recorded his first album "Mandjou" there. In 1980, he recorded two records in the United States: "Primpin" and "Tounkan". In 1984, he left Abidjan to return to Bamako with his family. This year he is participating in the Angoulême mixed music festival. He met with success with the French public, and came to settle in France in Montreuil. The following year, he participated in the recording of a collective album Tam tam pour l'Afrique for the benefit of Ethiopia. In 1986, he recorded the album, "Soro", which propelled Salif Keita onto the international scene.