Guinean legendary musician, Mory Kanté, has died from untreated chronic health complications. He was aged 70.
The singer was famous for having helped bring African music to world audiences in the 1980s with hits like Yéké Yéké.
“He suffered from chronic illnesses and often travelled to France for treatment but that was no longer possible with the coronavirus.
“We saw his condition deteriorate rapidly, but I was still surprised because he had been through much worse times before,” his son, Balla Kanté told AFP.
Mory Kanté, started music at age seven when he was sent to Mali to learn the kora harp.
He joined Mali’s legendary group, the Rali Band of Bamako and performed alongside Salif Keita. He succeeded Keita as lead singer of the band.
Kanté is the latest African musician to pass away after the recent demise of prominent musicians like Cameroon’s Manu Dibango and Nigeria’s Tony Allen, both of whom died in France earlier this year.
