Amadou Bagayoko, the legendary Malian guitarist and one half of the globally celebrated duo Amadou and Mariam, has died at the age of 70 in his hometown of Bamako.
Bagayoko, who rose to international prominence by merging traditional West African music with elements of rock, blues, and pop, was widely regarded as a pioneering figure in African music. His death was confirmed by Mali’s Ministry of Culture, which paid tribute to his impact both at home and abroad.
“Amadou was a blind man who made his mark on the Malian and international scene,” read a statement aired on state television Saturday.
Family sources said the musician had been ill for some time, but details of his illness were not disclosed. He is survived by his wife and artistic partner Mariam Doumbia, and their son Sam, also a musician.
From Bamako to the World
Born in 1954, Bagayoko lost his vision at the age of 15 due to a congenital cataract. He later studied music at Mali’s Institute for the Young Blind, where he met Doumbia. The pair would eventually marry and form a lifelong musical collaboration that placed them among Africa’s most beloved cultural exports.
Known globally as “the blind couple from Mali,” Amadou and Mariam began their career by using music to spotlight the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Over time, their signature sound—rooted in Malian tradition and blended with contemporary global styles—earned them acclaim across continents.
Their 2005 album Dimanche à Bamako, produced by Franco-Spanish artist Manu Chao, won multiple awards, including France’s Victoire de la Musique and the BBC Radio Award for World Music. Their 2008 record Welcome to Mali was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album.
The duo also performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including opening for Coldplay and appearing at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in 2009, the year then-U.S. President Barack Obama received the honour.
Bagayoko’s final major performance came during the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a fitting stage for an artist who long championed inclusion and visibility for the disabled.
Tributes from Across the Music World
Condolences have poured in from across the music industry. Manu Chao, reflecting on their collaboration, wrote: “Amadou! We’ll always be together… with you wherever you go.”
Senegalese artist Youssou N’Dour, a longtime friend and fellow icon of African music, also honoured Bagayoko. “I will never forget his friendship,” he said. “My thoughts are with my dear Mariam.”
As tributes continue to come in, Bagayoko’s legacy endures through a body of work that bridged cultures, challenged perceptions, and brought African music to the world stage.