Salif Keita and the Birth of Afro-Pop

NPR | By Reese Erlich

Published October 25, 2006 at 1:00 PM EDT

Malian singer-songwriter Salif Keita is a pioneer of African popular music who sings about racism and political struggle.

Independent producer Reese Erlich recently traveled to Bamako, Mali, to gauge the impact of Keita's music on the people of Mali and his role in the birth of the Afro-Pop sound.

Tags

NPR News NPR News

Reese Erlich

Related Stories

NPR News

A spectacular opening ceremony wowed a global audience despite Paris' on-and-off rain

Juana Summers
,
July 26, 2024

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony wowed Parisians, fans and most everyone who was able to catch a glimpse of thousands of athletes floating down the Seine to officially begin the Games.
NPR News

Kamala Harris faces racism and sexism as she moves closer to presidential nomination

Sarah McCammon
,
July 26, 2024

As Vice President Kamala Harris ramps up her campaign for president, Republicans are trying out new — and old — attacks focused on her race and gender, including calling her a "DEI candidate."
NPR News

Boar's Head recalls 200,000 pounds of deli meat linked to a Listeria outbreak

Lola Murti
,
July 26, 2024

The Food Safety and Inspection Service made the announcement Friday. There are 34 cases of Listeria from deli meat across 13 states, including two people who died of Thursday, according to the CDC.
NPR News

The political implications of Netanyahu's meeting with Trump

Franco Ordoñez
,
July 26, 2024

On the day that former President Donald Trump is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, we look at the Republican nominee's relationship with Israel.
NPR News

Ashleigh Johnson is a water polo veteran. Now, she's learning how to be a role model

Vincent Acovino
,
July 26, 2024

Ashleigh Johnson is one of the best water polo goalkeepers in the world. NPR's Juana Summers talks to her about her barrier-breaking role in the sport and her expectations for her third Olympic games.
NPR News

Notorious leader of Sinaloa drug cartel is captured in U.S. operation

Eyder Peralta
,
July 26, 2024

After a decades long man hunt the defacto head of Mexico's Sinaloa drug cartel is arrested just outside El Paso. What more do we know about his capture and what impact, if any, will this have on the fentanyl crisis here.
NPR News

Polio virus detected in Gaza wastewater raises public health concerns

Gabrielle Emanuel
,
July 26, 2024

The territory hasn't had any polio cases for 25 years but this suggests the virus is spreading. Polio experts are scrambling to figure out the origins and whether or not there are active cases.
NPR News

The opposition is energized ahead of Venezuela's high stakes election

Carrie Kahn
,
July 26, 2024

The opposition is united against longtime leftist President Nicolas Maduro, who is seeking a third term in this Sunday's election amid the country's gravest economic and political crisis in decades.