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A series of programmes first broadcast on the 成人快手 World Service. Cerys Matthews interviews Baaba Maal, known for his fusion of pop and rock with African styles.

Continuing 6 music's coverage of the WOMAD festival Cerys is in conversation with one of this year's headliners, the Senegalese music Baaba Maal. In a programme first broadcast on the 成人快手 World Service she talks to an artist who has become known for his fusion of pop and rock with African styles and has released over 11 albums in his career, spanning everything from traditional acoustic styles to big pop productions.

From modest beginnings as the son of a fisherman in the town of Podor in northern Senegal, Baaba Maal broke the mould from an early age, deciding to follow his passion for music even though he was not born into the traditional musical caste. But despite the odds Baaba has grown to be a household name, wowing audiences with his electrifying voice and live performance, curating his own festival in Senegal and collaborating with Peter Gabriel, Brian Eno, Tony Allen, U2 and producer John Leckie.

Now he uses his global fame to campaign for human rights while continuing to release his own brand of genre-hopping music and he shows no sign of slowing down.

Over the course of an hour Baaba takes us back to a childhood spent listening to his father芒鈧琓Ms call to prayer and his mother芒鈧琓Ms folk songs along the banks of the Senegal river. We hear about his early adventures across West Africa learning his trade alongside long-time collaborator Mansour Seck, meeting Chris Blackwell of Island records and his rise to fame in the 90s, and why he considers it his responsibility to use music as a tool for change in Africa.

1 hour

Last on

Sun 31 Jul 2016 13:00

Music Played

  • Baaba Maal

    Kettodee

    • The Sound Of Senegal.
    • Nascente.
    • 60.
  • Baaba Maal

    Fulani Rock

    • The Traveller.
    • Marathon Artists.
    • B01625N38W.
  • Wilson Pickett

    LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES

    • WILSON PICKETT'S GREATEST HITS.
    • ATLANTIC.
    • 7567-81737 2.
  • Aretha Franklin

    Respect

    • 30 GREATEST HITS.
    • ATLANTIC.
    • 7816682-2.
  • Baaba Maal

    Mariama

    • Bushel Of Mangos.
    • Palm.
    • NFI.
  • Bob Marley

    One Love

    • One Love - the Very Best of.
    • Tuff Going.
    • BMWCD-3.
  • Orchestra Baobab

    COUMBA

    • Pirates Choice.
    • World Circuit.
    • WLWCD-063.
  • Otis Redding

    Amen

    • Otis Redding Story.
    • ATLANTIC.
    • 75-67817622.
  • Baaba Maal

    The Traveller

    • The Traveller.
    • Marathon Artists.
    • B01625N38W.
  • BAABA MAAL & MANSOUR SECK

    Djam Leeli

    • Djam Leeli.
    • ROGUE RECORDS.
    • FMSD-5014.
  • Baaba Maal

    Afrian Woman

    • The Best Of The Early Years.
    • Wrasse.
    • 93.
  • Baaba Maal

    Baayo

    • On the road.
    • PALM PICTURES (promo cd).
    • YOFFCD-0006.
  • Baaba Maal

    Demgalam

    • Beginners Guide to World Music / World Cafe.
    • Nascente.
    • NSBOX-026.
  • Ernest Ranglin

    Surfin'

    • Surfin'.
    • Telarc.
    • CD83632.
  • Dexter Johnson

    Angelitos Negros

    • Dexter Johnson & Le Super Star de Daker Live A L'Etoile.
    • Teranga Beat / Terranga Beat Record.
    • TBCD019.
  • Baaba Maal, Jim Palmer & Khalifa Balde

    Kalaajo

    • The Traveller.
    • Marathon Artists.
    • B01625N38W.

Broadcast

  • Sun 31 Jul 2016 13:00