African singer Mory Kante has died aged 70.
The musician, who is credited with bringing African music to the wider world, died on Friday in a hospital in the Guinean capital of Conakry.
Kante’s son, Balla Kante, claimed his death was the result of untreated health issues, as he confirmed his death in a heartfelt statement today.
Speaking to AFP news agency, he said: “He suffered from chronic illnesses and often travelled to France for treatment but that was no longer possible with the coronavirus.
“We saw his condition deteriorate rapidly, but I was still surprised because he’d been through much worse times before.”
African singer Mory Kante has died aged 70 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Kante’s 1987 hit song Yéké yéké reached the number one spot in European countries such as Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, and Spain.
The accompanying album, Akwaba Beach, soon became the best-selling African record of its time.
Kante was famed for using the kora harp instrument while he performed, as well as implementing different vocal traditions into his work.
Mory Kante rose to fame with his hit song Yeke Yeke in 1987 (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
He also played the guitar and the balafon, helping him to create 11 albums over the course of his career.
In 1994, the song experienced a revival when German techno duo Hardfloor created a dance remix of the song, titled Yéké Yéké.
More recently, in 2014, Kante joined with other musicians for a recording of Africa Stop Ebola, helping to raise awareness of the Ebola crisis sweeping the continent at the time.
His most recent album, La Guinéenne, was described as ” both a love song to Africa, and Guinea, and a treasure chest of hard-nosed advice about trust, hard work, gratitude, and the importance of maintaining traditions in the face of modernity.”
Since news of Kante’s death broke, tributes from music lovers across the globe have been pouring in, honouring his vocal legacy.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
