Baaba Maal was born in Podor, Senegal in 1953 and grew up in a musical family where his father was a griot, a traditional storyteller and musician. He started playing guitar early and formed his first band, Dande Lenol, in 1974. His 1985 album 'Lam Toro' brought him wider attention with its mix of West African rhythms and contemporary sounds.
His music often carries messages about social justice and environmental issues. The song 'Agouyadji' from 1998 became associated with peace efforts in Sierra Leone after the civil war there. Other songs like 'Mariama (the Turtle Dove)' and 'Baayo (the Orphan)' reflect his interest in storytelling through music.
He has released more than twenty albums, including 'Koumoul' in 1989 and 'Firin in Fouta' in 1994. The Dande Lenol band has included musicians like Mansour Seck on guitar and Alioune Wade on bass. Maal continues to perform and record, with albums like 'The Traveler' coming out in 2016.
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