Mory Kanté
Encyclopedia
Mory Kanté is a vocalist and player of the kora
harp. He was born into one of Guinea's best known families of griot
(hereditary) musicians. After being brought up in the Mandinka
griot tradition in Guinea, he was sent to Mali
at the age of seven years – where he learned to play the kora, as well as important voice traditions, some of which are necessary to become a griot.
In 1971 Kanté became a member of the Rail Band
, in which Salif Keïta
was a singer. Keïta left the band in 1973, leaving Kanté as the singer.
Kanté is best known internationally for his 1987 hit song "Yé ké yé ké
", which was one of Africa's best-ever selling hits as well as being a European Number One in 1988, making it the first ever African single to sell over one million copies.
Three songs from Akwaba Beach were the source of inspiration behind three Blockbuster songs in Indian Films. Yeke Yeke is played in the background of 1990 epic Agneepath, when Amitabh Bachchan is being shown in Mauritius. Tama, another song from this album inspired Tama Tama from a 1990 hit Thanedar, starring Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit as well as Jumma Chumma De De from 1991 Magnum Opus HUM. Another song from this album Inch Allah inspired the opening lines of the title track of HUM.
Kanté received unexpected fame again in 1994 when the German techno duo Hardfloor
created a dance remix of "Yéké Yéké." He also appeared in 2006 as vocalist on British
DJ
Darren Tate
's release, "Narama".
On 16 October 2001, Mory Kanté was nominated Goodwill Ambassador
of the Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations
(FAO).
Kora (instrument)
The kora is a 21-string bridge-harp used extensively in West Africa.-Description:A kora is built from a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin to make a resonator, and has a notched bridge. It does not fit well into any one category of western instruments and would have to be...
harp. He was born into one of Guinea's best known families of griot
Griot
A griot or jeli is a West African storyteller. The griot delivers history as a poet, praise singer, and wandering musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition. As such, they are sometimes also called bards...
(hereditary) musicians. After being brought up in the Mandinka
Mandinka people
The Mandinka, Malinke are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa with an estimated population of eleven million ....
griot tradition in Guinea, he was sent to Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
at the age of seven years – where he learned to play the kora, as well as important voice traditions, some of which are necessary to become a griot.
In 1971 Kanté became a member of the Rail Band
Rail Band
The Rail Band, formed in 1970, is one of the most popular groups in the history of Malian music; it was later known as Super Rail Band, Bamako Rail Band or, most comprehensively and formally, Super Rail Band of the Buffet Hotel de la Gare, Bamako...
, in which Salif Keïta
Salif Keita
Salif Keïta is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita...
was a singer. Keïta left the band in 1973, leaving Kanté as the singer.
Kanté is best known internationally for his 1987 hit song "Yé ké yé ké
Yé ké yé ké
"Yé ké yé ké" is a 1987 song recorded by Guinean singer Mory Kanté. Released as a single from his album Akwaba Beach in 1988, the song became an international hit, which was one of Africa's best-ever selling hits as well as being a European number-one in 1988, making it the first ever African...
", which was one of Africa's best-ever selling hits as well as being a European Number One in 1988, making it the first ever African single to sell over one million copies.
Three songs from Akwaba Beach were the source of inspiration behind three Blockbuster songs in Indian Films. Yeke Yeke is played in the background of 1990 epic Agneepath, when Amitabh Bachchan is being shown in Mauritius. Tama, another song from this album inspired Tama Tama from a 1990 hit Thanedar, starring Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit as well as Jumma Chumma De De from 1991 Magnum Opus HUM. Another song from this album Inch Allah inspired the opening lines of the title track of HUM.
Kanté received unexpected fame again in 1994 when the German techno duo Hardfloor
Hardfloor
Hardfloor is a German techno and acid trance duo, consisting of Oliver Bondzio and Ramon Zenker. Their most famous track is "Acperience 1" ....
created a dance remix of "Yéké Yéké." He also appeared in 2006 as vocalist on British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
Darren Tate
Darren Tate
Darren Tate is an English record producer and club DJ.-Biography and personality:As a classically trained musician, Tate has worked with international artists and songwriters with whom he collaborates regularly...
's release, "Narama".
On 16 October 2001, Mory Kanté was nominated Goodwill Ambassador
FAO Goodwill Ambassador
The FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Programme was initiated in 1999. The main purpose of the programme is to increase public awareness and to disseminate information on issues related to food security, hunger and poverty in the world...
of the Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
(FAO).
Albums
- Courougnegre (1981)
- N'Diarabi (1982)
- A Paris (1984)
- 10 Kola Nuts (1985)
- Akwaba Beach (1987) (#1 SUI; #13 GER; #43 SWE)
- Touma (1990)
- Nongo Village (1994)
- Tatebola (1996)
- Tamala – Le Voyageur (2001)
- Best Of (2002)
- Sabou (2004)
Singles
- "Yé ké yé kéYé ké yé ké"Yé ké yé ké" is a 1987 song recorded by Guinean singer Mory Kanté. Released as a single from his album Akwaba Beach in 1988, the song became an international hit, which was one of Africa's best-ever selling hits as well as being a European number-one in 1988, making it the first ever African...
" (1988) (#1 NED; #2 GER; #2 SUI; #5 FRA; #10 AUT; #12 SWE; #25 UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
) - "Tama" (1988) (#44 GER)
- "Yéké Yéké" (remix) (1996) (#28 UK)