As he celebrates the release of his third album, Mali Is, singer Mali Music joins ESSENCE.com in conversation about his spirituality, making the transition from gospel to R&B, and how losing friends ...

Before the coup d’état that overthrew an elected government, before the French-led war to oust Islamist rebels who had taken over much of the country, Mali was perhaps best known internationally for ...

SOAS, University of London provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK. Amadou Bagayoko (1954-2025), iconic Malian guitarist, singer and composer of the famed duo Amadou & Mariam – known as ...

In Mali, music was once silenced by extremists, but some refused to stop. Now they are rebuilding, keeping traditional sounds alive, and helping the next generation rise through rhythm.