Baaba
Maal

Awardee

Country

Senegal

Baaba Maal reexamines history through music.

Themes
Indigenous rights
Reexamining history
Disciplines
Music
Awards
Archive - Prince Claus Laureate 1998

Profile

Baaba Maal is a musician based in Senegal. He is known for his fusion of traditional African music with modern sounds. Maal has gained recognition for his blend of traditional West African music with genres like reggae, salsa, and pop. His work explores themes of African identity, social issues, and cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional Senegalese music while innovating it for contemporary audiences.Maal's career spans decades, with albums like "Djam Leelii" (1984), "Lam Toro" (1992), and "Nomad Soul" (1998) introducing Senegalese music to global audiences. His collaborations with artists like Brian Eno and Peter Gabriel have been a bridge between African and Western music. Maal's impact lies in his ability to use music as a tool for social change, advocating for issues such as education and environmental conservation in Africa.