A descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Salif Keita should have never become a singer or griot as defined within the Malian caste system. Compounding the restrictions of his pedigree, Keita was born an albino-a bad omen in Malian culture. Kicked out by his father and ostracized by his community, Keita left Mali to nurture his innate talent by traveling along the Ivory Coast, Paris, London, and New York. Now an internationally recognized singer Keita champions a message of respect and acceptance, especially for members of the African albino community.

The epitome of harmony, Keita is every person: black and white, upperclass and everyday, local and global. His latest 2009 release La Differance is a musical amalgam of quality recordings produced in Bamako, Paris, Los Angeles, and Beirut. Reflective of this international effort, Keita drew an eclectic crowd at New York City’s Central Park Summerstage on June 20th.

From the first pluck of the kora to the triumphant finale, audience members glistened under the  sun, grooving together among a patchwork of blankets; a true campaign for bare feet and full skirts. Fervent West African rhythms pulsed beneath the ethereal timbre of Africa’s “Golden Voice,” bolstered by backup vocals from the strong Malian community present that day.