Amadou Bagayoko – Thousands Visit Malian Music Burial

Thousands of people gathered in Mali on Sunday for the funeral of Amada Bogojok’s music, the world -renowned Amadou & Mariam duo.

Friends, relatives, fans and colleagues -the artists flocked into the ceremony in the Bamako capital -including musician Salif Kait and former Prime Minister Musa Mara.

One of the most successful African musical acts of the 2000s, the duo of the husband and wife of Amada and Mariam has reached global glory, combining the influences of West Africa with rhythm and blues.

Their breakthrough album “Dimanche à Bamako” sold half a million copies around the world and led to cooperation with the Blur Demon, as well as performances at Glastanber and Cocheli festivals.

The Minister of Culture of Mali, Mom Dapa, said on state television that Bogayoka died on Friday in Bamako, at the age of 70.

The music family confirmed the news, adding that it was “ill for a while”.

There was no additional information about death, but his widow Mariam Dumbia described the last moments of her husband.

“I took his hand and tried to do some movements with him, but it didn’t move,” she said.

“I said,” Amadu, don’t do it, talk to Maria … But he didn’t say any more. “

The music was taken to the hospital where he later died.

“I thought that if Amadu went like that, I am alone,” Dumbia added.

“I was alone and I will stay alone in life.”

The Franco-Spanish mana star, which produced Dimanche à Bamako, has brought tribute to the Bogojok in an Instagram message, saying: “We will always be together … wherever you go.

“Mariam, Sam, the whole family, your pain is my pain. I love you,” he added.

Young Malian Singer Sidika Diabetes complained “another huge loss for Malian music.”

Yuso N’Dur said he considered Amada and Mariam “ambassadors of African music almost everywhere in the world.”

Speaking in front of France’s TV5 MondeHe said that the Bilooko continued his career with “dignity and lifestyle that inspired all of us … and encouraged us in what we did.”

Born in Bamako in 1954, Bogoyoka blinded when he was 15 of the congenital cataracts.

He later enrolled at the Mali Institute for the young blind man, where he met his future wife Mariam, who lost her vision at the age of five after the contracts.

In 1980, they formed a group called “Blind Couple Mali” and moved to the nearby ivory coast in 1986, realizing that the Mali’s insufficiently developed music industry would be an obstacle for their careers.

There they recorded a series of cassettes, combining the soul voice of the Dumbia with a powerful guitar style of the Ball, inspired by British acts like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

The purpose, according to the Bogayoka, was to “find a connection between them and our Bambora culture.” He dubbed the sound of “Afro-rock”.

Their life was changed when Mana Chao heard one of his songs on the radio and offered to produce his next album.

He graduated from the co -author and singing on the recording, adding eccentric rhythmic touches to their desert blues brand.

The result was Dimanche à Bamako, which won as Victoire de la Musique – the equivalent of France Prize Grammy – and the BBC Radio World Music Award in 2005.

The following, “Welcome to Mali” in 2008, was nominated for the best contemporary world music album in The Grammys.

This record was prepared by Damon Albarn, who invited the duo to take part in his AFRICA Express project in 2007, and invited them to a tour of Blur during their reunited 2009 shows.

Jake Shetsor was also a fan of the Scissor sisters and took Amadou & Mariam on the road with his band in 2012.

“What they hear back to classical rock and true musical skills,” he said when the tour began.

“Now with all the groups, when you play live, everyone is getting support. Everyone is working with a network. They are a foothold rock band.”

In 2009, they played Oslo when Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; And in 2011, she staged a number of concerts in the dark to show the audience how they survived the music.

A year later, they decided to record two versions of their sixth Folila album – one in New Yar and one with traditional musicians in Bamako.

The idea was to release everyone separately, but in the end, the duo decided to combine the records, mixing different receptions of the same song together in the third studio in Paris.

With Santigold contributions, yes, yes, and television on the radio, he earned a group of Grammy’s second nomination in 2012.

Confusion in Los -Angeles 2017 appealed to political turmoil in their homeland, where Islamic extremists imposed the law of Sharia and expelled music.

Songs such as Bofou Safou offered reports of force, resistance and optimism among the upheavals. Bogooka said he hoped the music will be universal

“We started working on the things that took place in our homeland, but then realized that they could apply to many other countries of the world,” – He said okeafrica.

“There is confusion around the world, and it’s time to communicate, talk and share ideas for a better future and understanding.”

The duo continued to record and tour until last year. The final performance of the Bogayoko took place at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024.

As of Sunday, the duo is still listed for the European Tour in May and June.

He was survived by his wife and son Sam, also music.

Bagayoko “will be buried in the family vicinity in the yard of his home,” – said his press -secretary Jibi Sako at the AFP agency.