One of Africa's most celebrated musicians and multiple Grammy nominee, Salif Keita of Mali and his 14 piece band arrived in Accra on Wednesday Night to participate in two major events this weekend. Tonight, the singer from Ghana's ECOWAS neighbour Mali, would be performing in a live concert at the National Theatre. He would also play on Saturday at the Gala Night organized by the Ghana France Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (GFCCIA), to climax the activities marking this year's Francophone Fortnight celebrations.
The Managing Director of Q CD Productions, "r. "Quantus" Ackah-Yensu, who organized the event told ADM that the show promises to leave a lasting impression on the minds of the fans who would be privileged to watch the performances. Salif Keita has been adjudged as one of the world's greatest musicians and live performers. He said tickets for the show were selling very fast which indicates that the auditorium of the theatre would be parked to capacity.
Speaking in interview with ADM through an interpreter shortly after his arrival, last Wednesday, Keita said he was excited to come to Ghana for the first time because, "I've heard and read a lot about this great country and I'm willing to discover more by meeting people and visiting places of interest during this trip." He also expressed his likeness for Ghanaian music including Highlife and Hiplife. He advised young musicians to promote their cultural heritage through music and produce music that people in other parts of the world can identify themselves with. "There's nothing wrong about blending rhythms, however, young musicians must not move away from their home music and folklore."
In writing music, Keita said he is inspired by thoughts about human life, activities and issues affecting humanity. "As human beings we are never satisfied with what we have and I believe that it's not how long one lives that matters but the quality of life you have that is important."
A master of West African rhythms and credited as one of the founders of the Afro-pop genre, Salif Keita is world renowned for his unforgettable live performances, soaring vocal and his emotionally fueled songs.
Born in Mali, in 1949, Salif Keita comes from a noble family and is a descendant of Sunjata Keita, who founded the Mali Empire in 1240. He was the third of thirteen children born to Sina Keita, a landowner in the Village of Djoliba, where he grew up near Mali's capital, Bamako. Born light skin pigmentation in a land of blistering sun and heat, with limited eyesight and poor despite his social standing, his mother had to hide him to avoid the attacks of the superstitious crowed who called for his death. In addition to the problems of growing up with his skin colour, Keita found the opposition of his family to his interest in becoming a singer since the traditions of his ancestry excluded members of the nobility from becoming singers. Keita's decision to become a musician broke an important taboo as in Mali only the lower jeli class makes its living from music.
In 1970, at the age of 18, Salif Keita left Djoliba for Bamako, where he spent time as a street musician and playing in bars. He worked with several groups in his carrier to develop the fusion between the traditional music and western electric influences. 1977 saw Salif Keita being awarded the National Order of Guinea by President Sekou Toure of Guinea. By that time, the singer had also discovered musicians like Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and Tina Turner. Their powerful way of singing and presence on stage taught Keita a lot about live performances.
This his first trip and performance in Ghana's capital would therefore be as novel to him as to his Ghanaian fans who have heard him but never seen him.
