Mory Kanté (born March 29, 1950 in Kissidougou, Guinea) is an acclaimed vocalist and player of the kora harp. He was born into one of Guinea's best known families of griot (hereditary) musicians. After being brought up in the Mandinka griot tradition in Guinea, he was sent to Mali at the age of seven years – where he learned to play the kora, as well as important voice traditions, some of which are necessary to become a griot.
In 1971 Kanté became a member of the Rail Band, in which Salif Keïta was a singer. Keïta left the band in 1973, leaving Kanté as the singer.
Kanté is best known internationally for his 1987 hit song "Yéké Yéké", which was one of Africa's best-ever selling hits as well as being a European Number One in 1988 making it the first ever African single to sell over one million copies. Kanté received unexpected notoriety in 1994 when the German techno duo Hardfloor created a dance remix of "Yéké Yéké." He also appeared in 2006 as vocalist on British DJ Darren Tates release "Narama".
Selected discography
Albums
- Courougnegre (1981)
- N'Diarabi (1982)
- A Paris (1984)
- 10 Kola Nuts (1985)
- Akwaba Beach (1987) (#1 SUI; #13 GER; #43 SWE)
- Touma (1990)
- Nongo Village (1994)
- Tatebola (1996)
- Tamala – Le Voyageur (2001)
- Best Of (2002)
- Sabou (2004)
Singles
- Yéké Yéké (1988) (#1 NED; #2 GER; #2 SUI; #5 FRA; #10 AUT; #12 SWE; #25 GBR)
- Tama (1988) (#44 GER)
- Yéké Yéké (Remix) (1996) (#28 GBR)
External links
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