Amadou Bagayoko, the Grammy-nominated Malian musician renowned as one half of the celebrated duo Amadou & Mariam, has died at the age of 70.
The Malian government confirmed his passing on Friday, acknowledging his profound impact on both the national and international music scenes.
Bagayoko, despite being blind, achieved global recognition by seamlessly blending traditional West African rhythms with Western rock and pop influences.
Born in Bamako in 1954, Bagayoko’s musical journey began early.
His pivotal meeting with his future wife and musical partner, Mariam Doumbia, occurred at the Institute for Young Blind People in the 1970s.
Their 2004 album, “Dimanche a Bamako,” catapulted them to international stardom, followed by the Grammy-nominated “Welcome To Mali” in 2008.
Amadou & Mariam toured extensively, opening for Coldplay in 2009 and performing at the Nobel Peace Prize concert the same year.
They graced the stages of major global music festivals, including Glastonbury.
While the provided text states they composed the official song for the 2006 soccer World Cup, the actual song was “The Time of Our Lives” by Il Divo and Toni Braxton.
Tributes poured in from international artists. Manu Chao, who produced “Dimanche a Bamako,” expressed enduring connection.
Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour conveyed his deep sorrow and support for Mariam.
Bagayoko’s innovative spirit and musical contributions have left an indelible mark on the world music landscape.
