Amadou & Mariam are a Grammy-nominated musical duo from Mali, whose evocative blend of Malian music with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian ney, Indian tablas, and Dogon percussion has garnered them an international following. Both Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia were born in Bamako, Mali; they met in 1977 while attending the Institute for the Young Blind, and discovered their mutual passion for music. Amadou, a guitarist and composer, and Mariam, a singer, began their collaboration as a duo in the early 1980s, getting married in 1983.

Their international breakthrough came with the album "Dimanche à Bamako" produced by Manu Chao in 2005, which won them a French Grammy and skyrocketed their fame outside of West Africa. Singing primarily in French and Bambara, their music spans multiple genres drawing from rock, reggae, and blues, while staying rooted in the Malian musical tradition. Amadou & Mariam's diverse musical collaborations and socially conscious lyrics reflect not only the changing landscape of Africa but also the couple's commitment to issues such as blindness and global poverty. Their recent releases, such as "Mon Cheri" with its various remixes, and "My Sahel," continue to showcase their ability to evolve and captivate audiences worldwide while remaining beloved figures in contemporary African music.

Genres

Afropop

Malian Blues

Mande Pop

World

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Fatoumata Diawara

Tinariwen

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Salif Keita

Ali Farka Touré

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Vieux Farka Touré

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Habib Koité

Bombino

Ashanti

Youssou N'Dour

Latest Release

Live Cuts at Abbey Road

Amadou & Mariam

Single - Released November 8, 2024