Malian music | World Music Central

The album cover for Héritage by Songhoy Blues features a central figure with dark, glossy skin wears a traditional African mask adorned with beads. The body is partially covered in cowrie shells and golden-hued organic patterns. The background blends weathered textures with a symmetrical, mirrored design. The album title and band name appear in bold, yellow and white text within a black circle in the upper right corner.

Charts

Songhoy Blues #1 on NACC Charts for February 25

Héritage (Transgressive/PIAS, 2025), the fourth recording by Songhoy Blues, is the most popular world music album at North American College, Community & Non-Comm (NACC) radio.…

Songhoy Blues., Oumar Touré, Aliou Touré and Garba Touré - Photo by Kiss Diouara

Artist Profiles

Songhoy Blues: A Career of Innovation and Advocacy

Angel Romero March 1, 2025 No Comments Aliou Touré desert blues Garba Touré Malian music Oumar Touré Songhoy Blues world music

(headline image: Songhoy Blues, Oumar Touré, Aliou Touré and Garba Touré – Photo by Kiss Diouara) Songhoy Blues emerged in 2013 with a distinctive sound…

Vieux Farka Touré - photo by Kiss Diouara . Vieux playing guitar.

Events

Desert Blues, Electric Grooves: Vieux Farka Touré Returns to Brooklyn

World Music Central News Room February 24, 2025 No Comments desert blues Malian music Vieux Farka Touré world fusion world music

On Friday, April 25, 2025, renowned Malian guitar virtuoso and vocalist Vieux Farka Touré is set to bring his signature mix of desert blues and…

Djam!- Djam! cover artwork. A photo of the two guitarists.

Album reviews

Djam!, A Global Guitar Safari

Madison Quinn February 23, 2025 No Comments African music Djam!electric guitar Malian music world fusion world music

Djam!- Djam! (Guitar Globetrotter Recordings, 2024) Djam! is a high energy collaboration between two exceptional guitarists: Joep Pelt and Bounaly Traoré. Joep, who honed his…

The album cover for So Kono by Salif Keita features the legendary Malian musician sitting barefoot on a white bed, dressed in a monochromatic yellow outfit with sunglasses and a matching headwrap. He holds an acoustic guitar. The background is a warmly lit, modern bedroom with geometric panels forming a house-like structure. A dynamic splash of gold paint extends from the left side. handwritten and minimal.

Music videos

Salif Keita Unveils “Tassi” Video from Upcoming Album So Kono

World Music Central News Room February 23, 2025 No Comments Malian music Salif Keita world music

Malian music star Salif Keita has rolled out a music video of the song “Tassi” , which is featured in his forthcoming album So Kono.

Trio Da Kali - Bagola cover artwork. A color photo of the trio outdoors with clouds in the background.

Album reviews

Trio Da Kali’s Bagola: A Stellar Recording Rooted in Manding Traditions

Angel Romero February 16, 2025 No Comments Fode Lassana Diabaté Hawa Kasse Mady Diabate Madou Diabaté Malian music Manding blues Manding music Trio Da Kali West African music world music

Trio Da Kali – Bagola (One World Records, 2025) In Bagola, Trio Da Kali presents a scintillating collection of newly composed songs, in which the…

Photos of the five artists: Toumani Diabate, Mercedes Sosa, Camarón de la Isla, Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, Reinette l'Oranaise

Awards

Transglobal World Music Hall of Fame Unveils 2024 In Memoriam Inductees

World Music Central News Room December 15, 2024 No Comments Flamenco Malian music Mercedes Sosa Mohammad Reza Shajarian Reinette l'Oranaise Toumani Diabate Transglobal World Music Hall of Fame world fusion world music

Transglobal World Music Hall of Fame has announced the 2024 In Memoriam inductees. This year’s inductees are: In Memoriam includes posthumous inductions that honor historically…

Toumani and Sidiki Diabate - Photo by Youri Lenquette

Articles

The Kora: West Africa’s Cherished 21-Stringed Harp-Lute

Angel Romero November 21, 2024 No Comments Ballake Sissoko Gambian music Guinean music kora Malian music Mamadou Diabaté Senegalese music Sona Jobarteh Toumani Diabaté world fusion world music

(headline image: Toumani and Sidiki Diabate – Photo by Youri Lenquette) The kora, a 21-stringed instrument, holds a significant place in West African musical traditions,…

Bassekou Kouyaté & Amy Sacko - Djudjon cvover artwork. A photo of the two artists.

Charts

Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko Take the Number One Spot on Transglobal World Music Chart for September 2024

World Music Central News Room September 1, 2024 No Comments Bassekou Kouyate Malian music Transglobal World Music Chart world fusion world music

The album Djudjon, l’Oiseau de Garana by Malian husband and wife duo Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko has emerged as the number recording on Transglobal…

Charts

Bassekou Kouyaté & Amy Sacko Claim Top Position on World Music Charts Europe for August 2024

World Music Central News Room August 1, 2024 No Comments Amy Sacko Bassekou Kouyate Malian music world music

The album Djudjon by Malian duo Bassekou Kouyaté & Amy Sacko clinched the topmost spot on World Music Charts Europe in August 2024. The latest…