Biography
Baaba Maal (born 1953) is a renowned Senegalese musician, one of Africa's most important contemporary musicians.
He was born on November 12, 1953 in Podor in then French West Africa, now Senegal. Maal was destined to follow his father's profession and become a fisherman, but he was influenced by a blind guitarist who was a family friend and became his first teacher. With the support of his mother and the headmaster of his school, Maal found himself studying music in Dakar and with his excellent performance won a scholarship for a master's degree in Paris. Returning from Paris he found himself playing music and singing with various bands and composing songs. His music is a fusion of traditional music, with elements of reggae, soul and modern dance rhythms.
In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion and sings in the Pulaar language and promotes the traditions of the Pulaar-speaking tribes living on both sides of the Senegal River. He has released several albums, both independently and for major labels, and has become well known throughout Africa and beyond.