Amadou Bagayoko – Thousands attend the funeral of Mali musician

Thousands of people gathered in Mali on Sunday for the funeral of musician Amadu Bagayoko, of the world -famous duo Amadou & Mariam.

Friends, relatives, fans and fellow artists flocked to the ceremony in the capital Bamaco – including musician Salif Kate and former Prime Minister Musa Mara.

One of the most successful African music acts from the 2000s of the last century, the duet of husband and wife Amadou & Mariam has achieved global fame, combining West African influences with rhythm and blues.

Their breakthrough album, 2004, Dimanche à Bamako, sold half a million copies around the world and led to cooperation with Blur Damon Albarn, as well as participation in Glastonbury and Coachella festivals.

Mali Mammo Dafe’s Minister of Culture said on state television that Bagayoko had died on Friday in Bamaco at the age of 70.

The musician’s family confirmed the news, adding that he was “sick for a while.”

No further information was provided on the cause of death, but his widow Mariam Dumbia described her husband’s last moments.

“I took his hand and tried to make some movements with her, but it didn’t move,” she said.

“I said,” Amadu, don’t do it, talk to Mariam … But he doesn’t talk anymore. “

The musician was taken to a hospital where he later died.

“I thought if Amadu went just like that, then I, I am alone,” Dumbia added.

“I was alone and would be alone in life.”

Franco-Spanish star Manu Chao, who produces Dimanche à Bamako, brought his homage to Bagayoko in a post on Instagram, saying, “We will always be together … wherever you go.

“Mariam, alone, the whole family, your pain is my pain. I love you,” he added.

The young Malian singer Sidiki Diabat has mourned “Another Huge Loss For Malian Music.”

Youssou N’Dour said he considers Amadu and Mariam as “Ambassadors of African music almost everywhere in the world.”

Speaking to the TV5 Monde of FranceHe said that Bagayoko pursued his career with “dignity and lifestyle that inspired us all … and encouraged us in what we do.”

Born in Bamaco in 1954, Bagayoko blinded when he was 15 because of a congenital cataract.

He subsequently enrolled at the Institute for the Young Blind of Mali, where he met with his future wife, Mariam, who lost her vision at the age of five after getting infected with measles.

They formed a group called “Blind Couple of Mali” in 1980, and moved to the neighboring coast of ivory in 1986, learning that the insufficiently developed Mali music industry would be an obstacle to their careers.

There they recorded a series of cartridges, pairing Dumbia’s spiritual voice with the powerful Bagayoko guitar style, inspired by British acts such as LED Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

The goal, said Bagayoko, was to “find a connection between them and our bambara culture.” He baptizes the sound “Afro-rock”.

Their lives were changed when Manu Chao heard one of their songs on the radio and offered to produce his next album.

He finished co -authorship and sang on the record, adding eccentric rhythmic touches to their Desert Blues brand.

The result was Dimanche à Bamako, which won both Victoire de la Musique – France, the equivalent of the Grammy Award – and the BBC Radio World Music Award in 2005.

Their follow-up, welcoming Mali since 2008, was nominated for the Best Contemporary World Music Album at The Grammys.

This record was produced by Albarne, who had invited the duo to participate in his Africa Express project in 2007 and invited them to go around Blur during their 2009 collection shows.

Jake Shires of sisters with scissors was also a fan and took Amadou & Mariam on the road with his group in 2012.

“What they do is returning to classic rock and true music,” he told Times when the tour started.

“Now with all the bands, when you play live, everyone continues songs. They are all working with a net. They are a suitable rock group from the old school.”

In 2009, they played in Oslo as Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; And in 2011, he organized a series of concerts at Dark to show the audience 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 Bamaco.

The idea was to release each one individually, but in the end, the duo decided to combine the records by mixing different songs together in a third studio in Paris.

Featuring Santigold, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV contributions on the radio, she won the Grine Second Grammy Nomination in 2012.

LA’s confusion for 2017 turned to political turmoil in their homeland, where Islamic extremists impose a law on Sharia and expelled music.

Songs like Bofou Safou offered reports of strength, resistance and optimism among shocks. Bagayoko said he hoped the music would be universal

“We started working on the things that are happening in our homeland, but then we realized that they could be applied in many other countries around the world” He told OkelafricaS

“There is confusion all over the world and it’s time to communicate, talk and share ideas for a better future and understanding.”

The duo had to go on a European tour in May and June, including Dates of the United Kingdom in Chelton in Brighton.

Bagayoko’s latest performance came to the Paralympic Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Ceremony.

He survived his wife and son alone, also a musician.

Bagayoko “will be buried in family intimacy in the yard of his home,” spokesman Jibi Sako told AFP news agency.