One of Africa’s all time great musicians, Salif Keita, will close off the 2010 edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) on a high note with a long awaited main stage performance at the six day arts extravaganza set to explode into activity in Harare at the end of April.

Salif Keita needs no introduction. This long established internationally recognized Afro-pop singer-song writer originally  from Mali and who is called the Golden Voice of Africa, is a direct descendent of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita.

With his royal heritage, by Malian cultural norms, he should never have become a singer, deemed to be a lowly griot’s role.

Left: A Legend Among Us.
Salif Keita

However he went against the tide and followed his passion. In the 1960s he joined the Super Rail Band de Bamako, then in the 1970s moved to Les Ambassoduers. The group fled political upheaval in the mid 1970s ending up in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, and changed their name to Les Ambassoduers Internationales.

The reputation of Les Ambassaduers Internationales rose to global levels in the 70s and Keita moved to Paris in 1984 to reach a larger audience. He has since become a legend, skillfully combining Traditional West African music styles with European and American influences.

For years, a highly successful African star on the world music stage, in 2000 Keita returned to his roots in Mali to live and record, and his first major work in 2002 after going home, Moffou, was held as his best album in years, following which he built his own recording studio in Bamako.

Keita has been high on the request list from HIFA fans over the last few years. Our wish has finally been granted.

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Vakomana   |2010-03-18 09:41:13 Won't miss his show for the world Reply 0   0

chichi  - love salif   |2010-03-19 07:55:02 I WILL MISS YOUR SHOW SALIF MY LOVE Reply 0   0

Clayton Ndlovu  - He is a Legend   |2010-03-26 14:40:13 I am so excited that one of the Greatest Son of the Soil, The King of African Music, The Mansa of Africa will come to Zimbabwe. Thank you Hifa. yes will be there. It will be nice to also have a workshop for our artists especially the up and coming at Zimbabwe College of Music. Thanks Manuel. Wagona basa! Reply 0   0

Sunshyn   |2010-04-08 08:30:30 Im more than excited...2 May waita kure..Thank you for bringing Salif Keita to ZIMBABAWE. Reply 0   0

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