Baaba Maal - Early Life and Basic Stats:
Baaba Maal was born on November 12, 1953 in Podor, Senegal, a small former French gold trading post on the Senegal River. Maal is of the Fulbe people, who speak the Pulaar (also called Pular, Fula, or Fulani) language group, and he primarily sings in Pulaar, occasionally dabbling in French, English, and other African languages as well. He was raised in the Muslim faith. Though he came from a family of fishermen and farm workers, but both of his parents were non-professional musicians who passed on a love of music in general, and specifically the musical traditions of their people.
The Education and Early Career of Baaba Maal:
Baaba Maal left home to study music at the university in Dakar, where he studied traditional Senegalese music as a member of the university orchestra and formed his first small band. It was during this period that he also met blind guitarist Mansour Seck, with whom he toured throughout West Africa. After graduation, Maal won a scholarship to study music at the famous Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris at the post-graduate level. Upon his return to Senegal, he formed a band called Daande Lenol, with whom he began his first experimentation in combining traditional music with international sounds, including reggae and vintage R&B.
Baaba Maal's Musical Sound and Message:
Baaba Maal's music combines elements of the traditional music of the Pulaar-speaking people and various international and modern sounds. Sometimes these genres are combined within single songs, some are played out separately. Baaba Maal's CD releases are diverse, with some, such as 1989's Djam Leelii being completely acoustic and fairly traditional, while some, such as 2009's Television, are very modern, with pop sensibilities. Maal primarily plays acoustic guitar and some percussion, but is best known for his rich, piercing singing voice. Lyrically, Maal focuses on African traditions, human dignity and human rights, and world peace.
Collaborations and Commercial Work:
Baaba Maal has collaborated with many different musicians, including Peter Gabriel (on Gabriel's album Passion), producer Brian Eno, Brazilian Girls, and the aforementioned blind guitar player Mansour Seck. Maal won a new audience of people when his voice appeared on the soundtrack to the film Black Hawk Down. In 2007, Baaba Maal performed at Live Earth. Through relentless touring and critically-acclaimed releases, Maal has become, next to Youssou N'Dour, one of Senegal's (and Africa's) most internationally famous musicians.
Essential Baaba Maal Starter CDs:
Djam Leelii, with Mansour Seck - 1989 (Compare Prices)
Nomad Soul - 1998 (Compare Prices)
Television - 2009 (Compare Prices)
Baaba Maal 2010 Spring/Summer Tour Dates
