Afel Bocoum

The celebrated Malian singer and guitarist Afel Bocoum is one of the last representatives of a groundbreaking generation of African musicians who were among the first to blend their traditional music with the new sounds emerging from around the world throughout the 20th century. Bocoum hails from Niafunké in the Timbuktu region of Mali, an area rich in cultural heritage yet shaped by the political tensions between the northern and southern parts of the country. He toured for decades with desert blues pioneer Ali Farka Touré, with whom he also recorded music.
In September 2020, Afel Bocoum released his latest studio album Lindé on World Circuit Records. Deeply rooted in West African musical culture and interwoven with global influences, the songs tell stories that resonate both in Mali and beyond. Damon Albarn (lead singer of Blur), who served as the album's executive producer alongside Nick Gold of World Circuit, described it as follows: “Afel's voice is one of Mali's treasures, and this record is a gift to us all.”
At Salam Music, Afel Bocoum will also present his brand-new program, with the release of the accompanying album planned for 2025.

Afel Bocoum – vocals, guitar
Aly Traore – guitar
Adama Diarra – calebasse, percussion instruments

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