Thousands attend funeral of Malian star Amadou Bagayoko

On a somber Sunday in Mali, thousands gathered to honor the life of the beloved musician Amadou Bagayoko, a key figure in the renowned duo Amadou & Mariam. The funeral took place in the capital city of Bamako, where friends, family, fans, and fellow artists came together to pay their respects. Among the attendees were notable figures such as musician Salif Keita and former prime minister Moussa Mara. Amadou & Mariam, a husband-and-wife duo, gained international fame in the 2000s by blending traditional West African music with rhythm and blues. Their breakthrough album, Dimanche à Bamako, released in 2004, sold over half a million copies worldwide and led to collaborations with prominent artists like Damon Albarn of Blur. They also graced the stages of major music festivals, including Glastonbury and Coachella. Mali's culture minister, Mamou Daffé, announced on state television that Bagayoko passed away on Friday at the age of 70. His family confirmed that he had been ill for some time, but no specific details about the cause of death were provided. His wife, Mariam Doumbia, shared her heart-wrenching experience during his final moments, recalling, 'I took his hand and tried to make some movements with it, but it didn't move. I said, 'Amadou, don't do this, speak to Mariam. but he didn't speak any more. ' After being taken to the hospital, he sadly passed away. Mariam expressed her profound grief, stating, 'I thought that, if Amadou went just like that, then me, I'm alone. I was alone and I will remain alone in life. ' The funeral service was attended by many mourners who wanted to show their love and support for Amadou. They sat under a gazebo as the ceremony unfolded, and his body was carried by members of the Protection Civile of Mali, a testament to the high regard in which he was held. Franco-Spanish musician Manu Chao, who produced Dimanche à Bamako, paid tribute to Bagayoko on Instagram, saying, 'We will always be together. Wherever you go. Mariam, Sam, the whole family, your pain is my pain. I love you. ' Young Malian singer Sidiki Diabate lamented the loss, calling it 'another immense loss for Malian music. ' Youssou N'Dour, a legendary figure in African music, regarded Amadou & Mariam as 'the ambassadors of African music almost everywhere in the world. ' He praised Bagayoko for pursuing his career with dignity and inspiring others in the music industry. Born in Bamako in 1954, Bagayoko lost his sight at the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract. He later attended Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, where he met Mariam, who had also lost her vision at a young age. The couple formed a band called Mali's Blind Couple in 1980 and relocated to Ivory Coast in 1986, realizing that Mali's music industry was not supportive of their ambitions. In Ivory Coast, they recorded a series of cassettes that showcased Doumbia's soulful voice alongside Bagayoko's powerful guitar style, influenced by British rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. Bagayoko aimed to create a connection between their music and their Bambara culture, coining the term 'Afro-rock' to describe their unique sound. Their lives changed dramatically when Manu Chao discovered their music on the radio and offered to produce their next album. This collaboration resulted in Dimanche à Bamako, which won prestigious awards, including the Victoire de la Musique and the BBC Radio World Music Award in 2005. Their follow-up album, Welcome to Mali, received a Grammy nomination for best contemporary world music album. The album was produced by Damon Albarn, who had invited the duo to participate in his Africa Express project in 2007 and later invited them to tour with Blur during their 2009 reunion shows. Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters also recognized their talent and took Amadou & Mariam on tour with his band in 2012, praising their authentic musicianship. 'What they do hearkens back to classic rock and real musicianship,' he remarked. In 2009, they performed in Oslo as Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize, and in 2011, they held concerts in the dark to help audiences understand their unique experience of music. The following year, they recorded two versions of their sixth album, Folila, one in New York and another with traditional musicians in Bamako. Initially planning to release them separately, they ultimately decided to combine the recordings, resulting in a third version produced in Paris. This album featured contributions from artists like Santigold, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and TV On The Radio, earning them a second Grammy nomination in 2012. Their 2017 album, La Confusion, addressed the political turmoil in Mali, where Islamic extremists had imposed Sharia law and banned music. Songs like Bofou Safou conveyed messages of strength, resistance, and optimism amid the chaos. Bagayoko expressed his hope that their music would resonate universally, stating, 'We started to work on the things that were happening in our homeland, but then realized that they could be applied to a lot of other countries in the world. ' Tragically, the duo was scheduled to embark on a European tour in May and June, including performances in the UK. Bagayoko's final performance took place at the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He is survived by his wife and their son, Sam, who is also a musician. According to his spokesman, Bagayoko 'will be buried in family intimacy in the courtyard of his home.