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Trendsetting musician returns to African roots
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Trendsetting musician returns to African roots >>
Senegalese vocalist and guitarist Baaba Maal has experimented with rap, salsa and techno beats, but he says it feels good to "come home" again. For him, that means returning to his rich, traditional West African musical roots.
He even recorded his latest CD, "Missing You (Mi Yeewnii)," in the back yard of his home, complete with the sounds of the wind, crickets and children playing.
"I wanted to come back to something more natural, less tiring and less calculating," said Maal.
He said it's "fine" if the album becomes a hit, and fine if it doesn't.
"It's what I wanted to do," he said in a phone interview from Senegal as he prepares for his first U.S. tour in three years. "This is what gave me the love and hope to be a musician."
That seed was planted years ago when he was growing up in Podor, a town near the border of Mauritania. Maal's father was a fisherman, but his friendship with Mansour Seck, who was born into the griot --- musical and storytelling --- class, helped him gain credibility as a musician.
In 1989, he teamed up with Seck and recorded "Djam Leelii," which received international acclaim. That was followed by other, more experimental efforts.
While recording "Missing You," Maal said, he was reminded of his childhood and growing up in his village. "I close my eyes and listen," he said. "It's like making a movie."
He said so much of today's music has African roots --- house music, rap, reggae. "I always try to find a connection with something I know," he said.
Maal has a huge following in Europe, especially in London and Paris, cities with large populations of the African diaspora. It's not unusual to go to a club there and find it packed with immigrants and Europeans listening to Maal, his friend and fellow Senegalese artist Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo of Benin or Cesaria Evora of Cape Verde.
In the United States, he's noticed that world --- and African --- music is rising in popularity, although he thinks it still has a ways to go.
But he's hopeful.
Maal said his music draws all people together --- it doesn't matter "if they're black or white, African or American or don't speak the language."
"You want them to just come into the song," he said. "My shows are very divided into a lot of things. There are different styles of songs. I just want people to listen to the melodies of Africa. Sometimes I want people to just move like I'm moving on stage. There are different moments in the show."
Maal said his music is about more than just the beat or melody. He has supported AIDS and other health projects in Africa and efforts to eradicate poverty and raise educational levels.
"Music in Africa has always been political, especially for the singer. When you sing songs here, people of all generations will ask you what are you talking about, what position are you taking," he said.
"Because you are so close to society, people can come to you and hold your hand and ask what you think about that leader."
He's not sure what his next CD will hold.
"Maybe this tour will help me" decide, he said. 03/10/04
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