Courtesy of HKW

“Les Ambassadeurs‰” is a jazzy, afro-pop funk group from Mali, headed by Mali music legend Salif Keita. The group fled Mali during the 70s in order to escape political unrest, heading to Ivory Coast, and later to Paris in the 80s. It was after this move that the group appropriately renamed themselves as “Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux.‰” They became popular internationally during the 70s, and their influence on music was significant. The success of Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux is extremely poignant, due to the fact that frontman Salif Keita was ostracized from his community in Djoliba, Mali, for his albinism, as the condition is seen as a symbol of bad luck in Mandinka culture.

The track “Wossolon‰” from their album Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux illustrates how the group perfectly mixes traditional African music with Latin and Caribbean beats. The track has a distinct Cumbia vibe, reminiscent of celebrity psychedelic Peruvian band, Los Mirlos. The hybridity of their music makes their sound fresh, visceral and transcendental. Their sound epitomizes modern music of West Africa. Les Ambassadeurs became one of the most popular African bands in Europe, due to their commitment to becoming popularized in the international market.

In May of this year, Les Ambassadeurs released a new EP, Rebirth, that they had decided all proceeds would go to the Salif Keita Foundation – an organization aimed at protecting those with albinism in Mali. An extremely inspiring video, illustrating not only the beauty of Mali, but the strength of its individuals. Not only has this group become legendary in the world of West-African music, but the group seeks to represent higher meanings of freedom and authenticity. The video features Keita‰’s daughter running with strength and determination through villages in Mali. We learn at the end of the video that his daughter, Nantenin Keita, is an athletic champion, being a bronze medalist in the paralympics that took place in London in 2012, and two other championships in 2006 and 2008. Despite the stigma towards albinism, Nantenin is subverting the discriminating nature of society through her strength and success.

Not only is the music an eclectic and worldly mix rarely found, but the atmosphere of solidarity illustrated through the music and work of Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux is something to be paid attention to and revered. I only wish that there were more bands that had such meaningful content in their sounds.