African music has a role to play

He told a Music conference in Senegal that: "We need to share with the youth the importance of music to the world Music has a role to play for children, in integrity, humanity, sharing culture and peace.”

“I was born in a small town north of Senegal, part of Ancient Malian Empire, Podor, a culturally rich city for music. A song like Niabe, Song about young girls, children, preparing for marriage, you will be at center of the family, with responsibility for harmony, and all of this is communicated through, music, melodies and dances. Slavery was a heavy burden but we are resilient in Africa. My mother, my grandmother taught me music, which expressed our fears and joy in the village. Our village history and knowledge was taught on way too, through oral tradition the music flowed from the river with the villagers and found shelter under the Baobab Afrique trees.”

The veteran explained that life stories were shared, through music and instruments. This fed him as an artist, so they traveled across West Africa. Although he was a good student, he was not a griot, but could hear his father's melodies, his voice echoing over the Savannah.

“I was told to be a doctor or teacher, but the secrets of music haunted me, my love, haunted my subconscious. I was fascinated and then got to learn, music, after approval from my father,” he said.

He pointed out that African cultural values are very important to African education. The Malian empire was peaceful and powerful but realised that they had to foster, human rights for women and children.

The way to do this was through music. Musicians through the Malian empire fostered and commissioned music for human rights. We no longer have the Malian empire; we have western dynasties like the USA. But we still have our African music.

Music is essential to communicate peace, harmony and human rights. Mandela, when he led pur brothers in South Africa understood that in S.A. African culture, African music is the language of hope the world needs.

But it, the music industry needs organization. ... When I traveled I came back with wonderful titles, wonderful music. We need our youth to travel, to connect, protect our music and transmit to our youth.

The music industry is changing and there's a challenge to protect our music, our heritage and revenue streams. What about the rights, protecting the rights in this changing world where artists want to come and collaborate but how do we protect our rights in a changing environment?

We have talented great artists but they don't know the music business, and maybe I did not take enough time to teach the youth about the music business, so that their talent is not exploited.