
Amadou Bagayoko - thousands attend funeral of Malian musician
Thousands of people gathered in Mali on Sunday for the funeral of musician Amadou Bagayoko, of the world-renowned duo Amadou & Mariam.Friends, relatives, fans and fellow artists flocked to the ceremony in the capital city of Bamako - including the musician Salif Keita and former prime minister Moussa Mara.One of the most successful African musical act of the 2000s, husband and wife duo Amadou & Mariam achieved global fame by combining West African influences with rhythm and blues.Their breakthrough album, 2004's Dimanche à Bamako, sold half a million copies worldwide and led to collaborations with Blur's Damon Albarn, as well as appearances at the Glastonbury and Coachella festivals.
Mali's culture minister, Mamou Daffé, said on state TV that Bagayoko had died on Friday in the city of Bamako, aged 70. The musician's family confirmed the news, adding that he "had been ill for a while".No further information was given on the cause of death, but his widow, Mariam Doumbia, described her husband's last moments."I took his hand and tried to make some movements with it, but it didn't move," she said."I said: 'Amadou, don't do this, speak to Mariam... but he didn't speak any more."The musician was taken to hospital, where he subsequently died."I thought that, if Amadou went just like that, then me, I'm alone," Doumbia added. "I was alone and I will remain alone in life."
Franco-Spanish star Manu Chao, who produced Dimanche à Bamako, led tributes to Bagayoko in a post on Instagram, saying: "We will always be together... Wherever you go."Mariam, Sam, the whole family, your pain is my pain. I love you," he added.Young Malian singer Sidiki Diabate lamented "another immense loss for Malian music".Youssou N'Dour said he considered Amadou & Mariam to be "the ambassadors of African music almost everywhere in the world".Speaking to France's TV5 Monde, he said Bagayoko had pursued his career with "a dignity and a way of life that inspired us all... and encouraged us in what we were doing".
Inventor of 'Afro-rock'
Born in Bamako in 1954, Bagayoko went blind when he was 15 because of a congenital cataract. He subsequently enrolled at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, where he met his future wife, Mariam, who had lost her vision at the age of five after contracting measles. They formed a band called Mali's Blind Couple in 1980, and moved to the neighbouring Ivory Coast in 1986, having realised that Mali's under-developed music industry would be a hindrance to their career.There, they recorded a series of cassettes, pairing Doumbia's soulful voice with Bagayoko's powerful guitar style, inspired by British acts like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.The aim, Bagayoko said, was to "find a link between them and our Bambara culture". He christened the sound "Afro-rock".
Their lives were changed when Manu Chao heard one of their songs on the radio and offered to produce their next album.He ended up co-writing and singing on the record, adding eccentric rhythmical touches to their brand of desert blues.The result was Dimanche à Bamako, which won both the Victoire de la Musique - France's equivalent to a Grammy Award - and the BBC Radio World Music Award in 2005.Their follow-up, 2008's Welcome to Mali, was nominated for best contemporary world music album at the Grammys.That record was produced by Damon Albarn, who had invited the duo to take part in his Africa Express project in 2007, and invited them to tour with Blur during their 2009 reunion shows.Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters was also a fan, and took Amadou & Mariam on the road with his band in 2012. "What they do hearkens back to classic rock and real musicianship," he told The Times as the tour kicked off. "Now with all bands, when you're playing live, everybody's got backing tracks going on. Everyone's working with a net. They are a proper old-school rock band."
In 2009, they played in Oslo as Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel peace prize; and in 2011 staged a series of concerts in the dark, to show audiences how they experienced music. A year later, they decided to record two versions of their sixth album Folila - one in New York and one with traditional musicians in Bamako. The idea was to release each separately but, in the end, the duo decided to combine the recordings, mixing different takes of the same song together in a third studio in Paris.Featuring contributions from Santigold, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV On The Radio, it earned the group a second Grammy nomination in 2012.2017's La Confusion, addressed the political turmoil in their homeland, where Islamic extremists had imposed Shariah law and banished music.Songs like Bofou Safou offered messages of strength, resistance and optimism amidst the turmoil. Bagayoko said he hoped the music was universal"We started to work on the things that were happening in our homeland, but then realised that they could be applied to a lot of other countries in the world," he told OkayAfrica. "There is a confusion all over the world, and it's time to communicate, to talk and share ideas for a better future and understanding."The duo continued to record and tour until last year. Bagayoko's final performance came at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.As of Sunday, the duo's website still listed dates for a European tour in May and June.He is survived by his wife and a son, Sam, also a musician.Bagayoko "will be buried in family intimacy in the courtyard of his home", his spokesman Djiby Sacko told the AFP news agency.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Wales Online
18 hours ago
- Wales Online
Oti Mabuse says trip to visit mothers in Cote d'Ivoire ‘brought everything home'
Oti Mabuse says trip to visit mothers in Cote d'Ivoire 'brought everything home' The 34-year-old visited a neonatal care unit in the west African country to help raise awareness of its work ahead of Soccer Aid, which raises money for Unicef, which funds the unit Oti Mabuse with Ajam, and her newborn baby at a neonatal care unit in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire (Image: Unicef/Frank Dejongh/PA ) Former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Oti Mabuse has said a trip to visit mothers of babies born prematurely in Cote d'Ivoire "brought everything home" about the premature birth of her own daughter. The 34-year-old visited a neonatal care unit in the west African country to help raise awareness of its work ahead of Soccer Aid, which raises money for Unicef, which funds the unit. Speaking after visiting the country's Abidjan capital, Mabuse said: "Visiting Cote d'Ivoire with Unicef UK showed me the first-hand impact of the importance of vital care for children and their parents – especially for those that are born prematurely. "My own baby was born prematurely, so seeing the work and meeting mums like Ouattara (one of the mothers at the care unit) brought everything home. I know how vital that care and support is in those early days. "Worldwide an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday in 2024 – deaths that were mostly preventable. "I also met incredible foster carers like Madame Massandje, who are changing children's lives and helping give them the start in life they deserve. Article continues below "These experiences showed me the real difference donations make. That's why I'm so proud to be part of Soccer Aid for Unicef – to help give every child a safe, healthy start in life." Mabuse's daughter, who she shares with husband Marius Iepure, was born 10 weeks premature in 2023. Speaking of her own experience, Mabuse said: "I remember the only way I could touch my child and have skin-on-skin was through this glass window – there's no mother who wants to experience that." Ouattara, who Mabuse met, had seen her first baby die without access to specialised support, however her second baby, Abdul, although born prematurely again, was rushed to the centre where they stayed for three weeks to receive the care needed to allow him to live healthily. The performer, who has also served as a judge on Dancing On Ice, witnessed a Unicef programme called Kangaroo Mother Care at the unit, which promotes the importance of skin-to-skin contact, which is proven to significantly boost survival rates of babies born prematurely, according to the charity. According to Unicef, globally in 2024 an estimated 4.8 million children died before reaching their fifth birthday, including 2.3 million newborns who died within the first 28 days of life. It says that in Cote D'Ivoire, lack of access to specialised care is one of the reasons that prematurity is the leading cause of death for children under five. A Unicef appeal film of Oti Mabuse's trip will feature during Soccer Aid, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 6pm on Sunday, June 15. Those wishing to donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef can visit Article continues below This year, every donation made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled, thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, up to £5 million.


Daily Record
20 hours ago
- Daily Record
Four adorable meerkat pups born at Blair Drummond Safari Park settling into surroundings
The four meerkat pups - born on May 10 to parents Cardi B and Biggie at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling - are starting to "show a bit of character". Four meerkat pups born at Blair Drummond Safari Park are starting to "show a bit of character" as they settle into their new home. The quartet, born on May 10 to parents Cardi B and Biggie, represent the third litter for the pair since they joined the park in 2022. Born blind, deaf and almost hairless, the one-month-old pups have now opened their eyes and begun exploring their surroundings. Meerkats, known for their social nature, live in close-knit groups called mobs that collectively raise their young. Carolyn Booth, Pets Farm Team Leader at Blair Drummond, said: "The pups are just starting to find their feet and show a bit of character – it's a brilliant stage to watch. "They're getting more confident by the day, and the rest of the mob has really stepped up to help raise them. It's a real family effort." The young meerkats have started nibbling on solid food, following the adults around and honing their digging skills. Just last month, an endangered giraffe has arrived at the safari park in a bid to boost breeding. Noinin, a seven-year-old female Rothschild's giraffe, was welcomed to the park on Thursday, May 1. The 16-foot tall mammal was transported from Fota Wildlife Park in County Cork, Ireland, first by ferry to Holyhead, Wales, followed by a 337-mile road journey north. She is set to be introduced to fellow Rothschild's giraffe Sifa, who came to Blair Drummond in 2023 as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. The aim is to create genetic diversity in the breeding programme. The species has seen a dramatic population decline of 30% since the 1980s, with less than 2,000 remaining in the wild, according to zoologists. The new arrival will be integrated into the park's giraffe herd as part of a carefully managed breeding programme aimed at supporting the survival of the species, and will live in a mixed species habitat. Noinin and Sifa are hoped to contribute to preserving genetic diversity and ensuring the long-term survival of Rothschild's giraffes. Kristine Fennessy Alexander, animal collection manager at Blair Drummond, expressed the safari park's excitement at its latest addition. She said: 'We're thrilled to welcome Noinin to the park. 'Rothschild's giraffes are facing significant challenges in the wild, and breeding programmes like this one are essential in helping secure the future of the species. 'Noinin has already begun exploring her new surroundings, and we are excited for her and Sifa to hopefully form a successful breeding pair.' The safari park opened in May 1970, and is currently home to over 300 animals, many of which are able to roam freely. Its animals include the African elephant, Barbary macaque monkeys, meerkats and the Siberian tiger.


Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Sly Stone dies aged 82 as tributes are paid to Sly and the Family frontman
Sylvester Stewart was described as a "monumental figure" in the music industry. Frontman Sly Stone has passed away at the age of 82, following a series of health complications, his family announced today. He was reportedly surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death. The legendary musician, born Sylvester Stewart, was best known as the frontman of Sly and the Family Stone, the influential band that rose to prominence in the 1960s. Their career saw major chart success, and in 1993—years after the group disbanded—they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His passing, confirmed today, came after a "prolonged battle" with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) along with other medical issues. Following the announcement, tributes have poured in honoring Sly's legacy. In a statement shared with the Mirror, his family said: "It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone. After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family." They also expressed comfort in the lasting impact of his work: "While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come." His family continued: "Sly was a monumental figure, a groundbreaking innovator, and a true pioneer who redefined the landscape of pop, funk, and rock music. His iconic songs have left an indelible mark on the world, and his influence remains undeniable. In a testament to his enduring creative spirit, Sly recently completed the screenplay for his life story, a project we are eager to share with the world in due course, which follows a memoir published in 2024." They concluded the statement by saying: "We extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers during this difficult time. We wish peace and harmony to all who were touched by Sly's life and his iconic music. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your unwavering support." Sly rose to fame as a founding member of Sly and the Family Stone, which formed in 1966 and included his siblings Freddie Stone and Rose Stone, along with bandmates such as Cynthia Robinson, Greg Errico, Jerry Martini, and Larry Graham. The band became known for hits like Everyday People, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968, as well as other classics such as Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), Family Affair, and Dance to the Music, the latter of which reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Sly was active in the group until its disbandment in 1975, the same year he released his first solo album High on You. His memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin), was published in 2023. Since the announcement of his death, tributes have flooded social media. One fan wrote on X: "RIP to Sly Stone. Innovator, funk aficionado, and frontman of Sly & The Family Stone." Another added: "Rest in Peace to the legendary, trailblazing funk icon, Sly Stone!" A further tribute read: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary musical genius, Sly Stone. His influence on music and culture has been immeasurable, and his legacy will resonate for generations. You will be dearly missed."