Singer and songwriter whose 1980s hit Yéké Yéké was Africa’s first million-selling single
Mory Kanté, who has died aged 70 from untreated health problems, was a
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and one of west Africa’s most versatile and commercially successful musical pioneers.
A national hero in Guinea, Kanté came from a jali or griot family of hereditary musicians and historians, and became known as the “electric griot” for his fusion of contemporary styles with traditional west African influences. His best known song, Yéké Yéké, was recorded in 1987 and became the first African single to sell over a million copies - as well as being the first international dance floor hit to feature the kora, the ancient west African harp.