Voices United For Mali

Last year during Baaba Maal's Africa Utopia festival at the Southbank Centre, Oumou Sangaré  spoke eloquently between songs of the deepening crisis in Mali.  She affirmed her belief in the duty of the musician to fight with the microphone, to promote unity, tolerance, and peace. 

It is nothing new for musicians in West Africa to act as arbiters, counsellors and diplomats.  As early as the 14th Century, itinerant griot musicians travelled through the Sahel helping settle disputes through their powers of oratory, and their knowledge of history and families.  The nomadic lifestyle of a griot musician also meant they were often fluent in several languages, a useful skill in a vast country such as Mali where many languages are spoken.

So continuing in this tradition some of Mali's most prominent musicians have recorded and released a song this week calling for peace in the country. 

Voices United For Mali features musicians from across Mali including; Fatoumata Diawara, Afel Bocoum, Habib Koité, Oumou Sangaré and Vieux Farka Touré.