Salif Keita and Universal Music Festival

Salif Keita, born in Mali, overcame cultural rejection as an albino to become the "Golden Voice of Africa." He rose to fame with the Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs, before launching a successful solo career in Paris. Known for fusing African music with jazz, funk, and pop, he worked with artists like Carlos Santana and Cesária Évora. Grammy nominee, his acclaimed albums include Soro, Amen, and Moffou. He won France's Best World Music award for La Différence in 2010 and retired in 2018 after Un Autre Blanc.