Baaba Maal

There's a storm blowing through south London. Inside, all looks calm, as Baaba Maal sits in a gold suit reminiscent of Elvis, and quietly sings.

Baaba Maal returns with new album and new influences

African Voices seems to be focusing more on the arts than other areas of endeavour in its expose on inspiring African icons the world over. A close look at all the previous personalities reveal either a bias for Africans in the arts - music, theatre, film directing, writers, etc. There have been a few political figures, the most prominent being Ian Kharma of Botswana. The reason may not be far fetched. Bank PHB had set out in its partnership with CNN to beam attention on prominent Africans whose lives are sources of inspiration to their communities and beyond. The whole idea is to encourage the younger generation and indeed everyone to lean from the inspiring stories of heroes and heroines who have surmounted daunting challenges to become shinning lights on the continent. Unfortunately, there are few political figures on the continent that would qualify as icons. Again political figures being controversial and partisan may spark off distractions that would remove rather than add to the credibility of the programme.

At a young age of 27 in 2001, Eric Wainaina was named by Africa Almanac.com amongst the top 100 Africans that had a huge impact on humanity across the the continent. The list included such iconic personalities as Nelson Mandela, Joseph Kabila, Yash Pal Ghai, Baaba Maal and Ousmane Sembene. Such is the impresive profile of the next African voice on CNN powered by Bank PHB. Using music as a tool of social cultural and political emancipation, Wainaina has become a powerful force in Kenyan national life.

?Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi has become one of his country's best-loved musicians, thanks to his thoughtful, gently sturdy songs such as Hear Me Lord. When Baaba Maal joined him for a fi...

Podor, qui a abrite le lancement de la Semaine nationale de mobilisation pour l'allaitement maternel exclusif, a refuse du monde. La ceremonie officielle s'est deroulee sur la place de l'Hotel de ville face a un public nombreux venu des quatre coins du departement. L'evenement avait pour parrain Baaba Maal, le roi du yela, en sa double casquette de fils de Podor et d'ambassadeur de l'Unicef.

London, UK - The clearest evidence of Baaba Maal's remarkable shows comes with 'Baaba Maal on the Road' a selection of live performances collated from concerts around the world over the past ten years. Although Maal's music has embraced everything from electric bands to 70-piece orchestras, it is his intimate acoustic performances which, for many, properly encompass the very real contagious nature of Maal's work. It is this raw emotional edge that is showcased on the eight tracks featured on this album. Included are live versions of a few of the finest songs in Maal's repertoire plus three collectors items a song called Iyango' which has never been recorded before, together with 'Farba', a tune that's appeared only on an Africa-...

Celtic Connections 2008 opens its doors to world music, inviting Senegalese music star Baaba Maal. Accordion fans will be treated to an accordion fest with some of its top performers. Another focal point will be former Solas vocalist Karan Casey. January 21 program: Iain Anderson In Conversation Donald Smith & Anne Lorne Gillies Mon 21 January, 12:30pm £3.50 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall BBC Radio Scotland?s Iain Anderson hosts an eclectic mix of local figures as well as musicians performing at the festival for a lunch time blether. Danny Kyle's Open Stage hosted by Gibb Todd Mon 21 January, 5p ...