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Baaba Maal

Dynamic image of Baaba Maal, standing against a graffiti covered brick wall

After nearly 20 years, visionary singer, cultural ambassador and epic storyteller, Baaba Maal, returns to the Barbican stage to perform his definitive tracks and music from his latest album, Being.

Born in Senegal in 1953 to the fisherman's caste, Baaba Maal wasn’t destined to be a performer. In West African culture, the ancient griot caste traditionally produces the singers and poets. Growing up inspired by indigenous African music, American R&B, soul, jazz, reggae and blues, he defied expectation and became a musician.

Throughout the 70s and 80s Maal developed a distinctive sound that fused traditional African instruments with an adventurous electronic approach, recording with Mansour Seck; forming the group Daande Lenol and releasing a series of acclaimed solo albums.

His passion for blurring diverse musical forms has never faltered. Returning to recording in 2015 after a hiatus, Maal's collaborated with Johan Hugo, Mumford & Sons and helped Ludwig Goransson create the sound of Marvel’s Afrofuturistic Black Panther movies.

Tagged with: Contemporary music

Stage Times:

7.30 - 9.10pm without interval.

Stage times are approximate and subject to change.

Produced by the Barbican

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