Salif Keita

Salif Keita

Born: August 25, 1949
in Djoliba, Mali
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.

Salif Keita took part in the "Liberate Mandela" concert at the Fête de l'Humanité in 1985. He also took part in the Francofolies festival in La Rochelle in 1987, and in a concert organized in London for Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday. In 1989 he released his second album in France, “Ko-Yan”. His third album "Amen" was released in June 1991. His album Folon from 1995 is dedicated to albino children for whom he created an association. In 1996 he opened a recording studio in Bamako to help young Malian musicians. In 1997, he released an album "Sosie" composed of titles by French singers (Maxime Le Forestier, Michel Berger, Jacques Higelin and Serge Gainsbourg) performed on the kora or balafon. In June 1999, he released a new album entitled "Papa" where he evokes his father, who died two years earlier. In 2001, he opened a club coupled with a recording studio named Moffou, the name of a flute used by shepherd children. In March 2002, an album of the same name was released.

On December 12, 2004, in Johannesburg, South Africa, he was honored at the Kora Awards for his entire career.

Salif Keïta is a candidate in the Malian legislative elections of 2007. During the Victoires de la musique 2010 ceremony in March 2010, he won a victory in the “World music album of the year” category. On July 19, 2010, Salif Keïta was appointed Ambassador of Peace by Jean Ping, President of the African Union Commission. In 2014, he participated in the Esperanzah world music festival, as guest of honor.

Salif Keïta attacks Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta on November 15, 2019, and claims that jihadists in Mali are armed and financed by France. On December 5, 2020, he became a member of the National Transition Council of Mali. In August 2023, he was appointed advisor to the head of the junta by Colonel Assimi Goïta.

Movies for Salif Keita...

Africa Rising
Title: Africa Rising
Character: Self - Musician (archive footage)
Released: June 3, 2019
Type: Movie
How African artists have spread African culture all over the world, especially music, since the harsh years of decolonization, trying to offer a nicer portrait of this amazing continent, historically known for tragic subjects, such as slavery, famine, war and political chaos.
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Salif Keita: World Music Portrait
Title: Salif Keita: World Music Portrait
Character: Self
Released: April 6, 2004
Type: Movie
Salif Keita has been one of the best selling world music artists since he embarked on a solo career fifteen years ago. In this portrait we are treated to music that spans his wide-ranging repertoire, from spellbinding performances of his traditional Malian music to concerts that showcase his innovations in fusing his musical roots with jazz, funk, Europop, and R&B. Highlights include performances in Denmark and France, as well as an improvised session with Carlos Santana.
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Title: The Blues
Character: Self
Released: September 28, 2003
Type: TV
The Blues is a 2003 documentary film series produced by Martin Scorsese, dedicated to the history of blues music. In each of the seven episodes, a different director explores a stage in the development of the blues. The series originally aired on PBS in the United States.
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Genesis
Title: Genesis
Character: Esau
Released: September 8, 1999
Type: Movie
Inspired by the book of Genesis, this film tells the power struggle between two families: a clan of herders led by Jacob and another clan of hunters fronted by his brother Esau. Caught in the crossfire is their cousin, Hamor and his tribe of farmers.
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Title: Vivement dimanche
Character: Self
Released: September 20, 1998
Type: TV
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Salif Keita & Les Ambassadeurs - Jazz Open à Stuttgart
Title: Salif Keita & Les Ambassadeurs - Jazz Open à Stuttgart
Character: Self
Released: July 5, 1995
Type: Movie
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The Golden Ball
Title: The Golden Ball
Character: Karim
Released: April 13, 1994
Type: Movie
The Golden Ball is a wonderful children's film that tells of a young boy's dream of being a soccer player. Whenever a match is broadcast live in the village of Makono, Bandian and his brother keep their ears to the transistor radio, spinning a picture of the game from the announcer's commentary much as they fantasize themselves on the field. A gift of a real soccer ball, which Bandian paints gold, like a magical object involves him in a series of adventures which bring him in reach of his dream, but which also require him to make difficult choices.
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The Lion Child
Title: The Lion Child
Character: Griot
Released: June 16, 1993
Type: Movie
In the village of Pama, Sirga the lioness and Oule the young boy, born the same day, grow up together as sister and brother. Oule discovers the world alongside Sirga, and it is through her that he learns the secrets of the brush. He knows how to speak to the trees, the beasts, the bees and the wind. But one day, horsemen arrive from the Nord to take away all of the children of the village in chains and sell them into slavery. Oule and his friend Lena are bought by a nobleman of the high plains who, terrified by Oule's powers, sends him into exile. But Oule posesses the strength of lions and he finds Sirga. With Lena, they will reconstruct the village of Pama...
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One World, One Voice
Title: One World, One Voice
Character: Self
Released: December 9, 1990
Type: Movie
An extraordinary music special is the climax to One World week. The brainchild of ex-10cc drummer Kevin Godley, it features the first true global composition involving rock stars, classical musicians and artists from all over the world. Godley and a film crew toured the globe in just 44 days with a 'chain tape', asking musicians to add a new theme or idea. Artists include Sting, Dave Stewart, Peter Gabriel, Clannad, Lou Reed, Leningrad Symphony Orchestra, Afrika Bambaata and the Kodo Drummers.
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Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter
Title: Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter
Character: Self
Released: December 1, 1990
Type: Movie
This music special is dedicated to dispelling the prejudices associated with the HIV infection and raising money for AIDS research and relief. Some of today's most celebrated recording artists performing their interpretations of the classic songs of Cole Porter.
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Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Title: Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute
Character: Self
Released: June 11, 1988
Type: Movie
Wembley Stadium hosts a concert featuring stars from the fields of music, comedy and film, in celebration of the 70th birthday of imprisoned ANC leader Nelson Mandela. Highlight of the evening is the one hour live performance of Dire Straits feat. Eric Clapton.
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Title: Victoires de la musique
Character: Self (World Music Album of the Year)
Released: November 23, 1985
Type: TV
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Mosaïque
Title: Mosaïque
Character: Self
Released: December 26, 1976
Type: Movie
Broadcast from 1977 to 1987 on FR3, every Sunday morning, for 1h30, Mosaïque is a variety show with a set where music groups from the countries of origin of immigration perform, and which broadcasts reports on these countries and on immigrants who live in France. When it was created, it aimed to promote the cultures of origin of immigrants, but also to make them better known to the rest of the population. However, the program was never financed by public television which considers that it was aimed at a specific audience and was therefore not part of a public service mission. It received financial support from the Ministry of Labor, through its subsidy to the National Office for the Cultural Promotion of Immigrants, ONPCI (later becoming Information Culture and Immigration, ICEI, in 1977, then Agency for the Development of Intercultural Relations , ADRI). , in 1982).