Baaba Maal Releases First Album in Seven Years, "Being"
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Loading... - Sarah Kwaka
- 18 Sep 2024
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Senegalese music icon Baaba Maal has released his first album in seven years, titled "Being". The album is an exploration of Maal's African roots in Senegal amidst a changing, modernizing world with climate change threatening his home. The genre-crossing record showcases traditional African instruments along with futuristic electronic sounds.
The album's first single, "Yerimayo Celebration", is a jubilant celebration of Maal's roots in the small town of Podor in north Senegal, and the fishing community at its heart. Maal's music is a celebration of African culture, and he believes that music has the power to bring people together and inspire positive change.
Maal is not only a musician but also an activist on climate change and refugees. He has been committed to various development challenges in Africa since 2003, working with different UN family organizations. His NANN-K Trust recently opened a solar-powered irrigation project in Senegal to fight desertification, which is one of the main drivers of people leaving on dangerous migration routes.
Maal's participation in Marvel's blockbuster franchise, "Black Panther", has brought his music to a new, much younger audience. He believes that the franchise can inspire new hope for the African continent, and that it represents a template for Africa's future. Maal worked with director Ryan Coogler, composer Ludwig Göransson, and fellow Senegalese musician Massamba Diop to create the score and soundtrack for the hit movies.
Maal believes that it's an exciting time for African music, with many artists looking to Africa for inspiration. He cites Beyoncé as an example, saying that she has looked to Africa for her origins and is celebrating her Black heritage. Maal sees this as an opportunity for Africa, not just for himself, but for the continent as a whole.
