Mamadou Konte
Encyclopedia
Mamadou Konte was a Senegalese music producer and founder of the Africa Fête Music Festival and a leading figure behind the African and world music
genre
s.
Konte founded the Africa Fête music festival in 1978 in France
, where he lived for many years as a French Malian immigrant as a longtime Paris
resident. Africa Fete is an important international music festival
that highlights established and up-and-coming African musical artists. Africa Fete has been credited with popularizing African music in France. The first years of the festival were held in France.
The Africa Fete festival has been based in Dakar
, Senegal
since 1995, the same year that Konte moved to the country. Several years of Africa Fete were also held in the United States
. The festival is held every year in conjunction with World AIDS Day
.
Africa Fete also became a record label
, now based in Senegal. Konte and Africa Fete helped launch the careers of a number of well known, international artists, including Angélique Kidjo
, Youssou N'Dour
, Simon Mahlatini, Salif Keita
, and Papa Wemba
. For example, Konte helped organize Yousou N'Dour's first major European tour. Konte also served as a manager, producer, and agent
for many other artists including Xalam
, Touré Kunda
and Manu Dibango
.
Konte also established Tringa
, a cultural center
for aspiring young Senegalese musicians. He was awarded the Chevalier des Arts and Lettres by the French government in 1992.
Konte died on June 20, 2007 in Dakar, Senegal of an undisclosed illness. He was either 62 or 65 years old.
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
genre
Genre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
s.
Konte founded the Africa Fête music festival in 1978 in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he lived for many years as a French Malian immigrant as a longtime Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
resident. Africa Fete is an important international music festival
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
that highlights established and up-and-coming African musical artists. Africa Fete has been credited with popularizing African music in France. The first years of the festival were held in France.
The Africa Fete festival has been based in Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
since 1995, the same year that Konte moved to the country. Several years of Africa Fete were also held in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The festival is held every year in conjunction with World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day, observed December 1 every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Government and health officials observe the day, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an...
.
Africa Fete also became a record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, now based in Senegal. Konte and Africa Fete helped launch the careers of a number of well known, international artists, including Angélique Kidjo
Angélique Kidjo
Angélique Kpasseloko Hinto Hounsinou Kandjo Manta Zogbin Kidjo, commonly known as Angélique Kidjo is a Grammy Award–winning Beninoise singer-songwriter and activist, noted for her diverse musical influences and creative music videos. Time Magazine has called her "Africa's premier diva". The BBC has...
, Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer, percussionist and occasional actor. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, in Senegal and much of Africa, "perhaps the most famous singer alive." He helped develop a style of popular music in Senegal, known in the Serer language as mbalax, a type of music...
, Simon Mahlatini, Salif Keita
Salif Keita
Salif Keïta is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita...
, and Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba
Papa Wemba was born Jules Shungu Wembadio Pene Kikumba in 1949 in Lubefu . He is a Congolese rumba musician, one of Africa's most popular musicians, and prominent in World music.-Zaiko Langa Langa:...
. For example, Konte helped organize Yousou N'Dour's first major European tour. Konte also served as a manager, producer, and agent
Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
for many other artists including Xalam
Xalam
Xalam, also spelled khalam, is the Wolof name for a traditional stringed musical instrument from West Africa. The xalam is thought to have originated from modern-day Mali, but some believe that, in antiquity, the instrument may have originated from ancient Egypt...
, Touré Kunda
Touré Kunda
Touré Kunda is a Senegalese musical group whose 20-year career encompasses recordings in six languages and collaborations with well-known musicians such as Carlos Santana...
and Manu Dibango
Manu Dibango
-External links:*...
.
Konte also established Tringa
Tringa
Tringa is a genus of waders, containing the shanks and tattlers. They are mainly freshwater birds, often with brightly coloured legs as reflected in the English names of six species, as well as the specific names of two of these and the Green Sandpiper. They are typically associated with northern...
, a cultural center
Cultural center
A cultural center or cultural centre is an organization, building or complex that promotes culture and arts. Cultural centers can be neighborhood community arts organizations, private facilities, government-sponsored, or activist-run...
for aspiring young Senegalese musicians. He was awarded the Chevalier des Arts and Lettres by the French government in 1992.
Konte died on June 20, 2007 in Dakar, Senegal of an undisclosed illness. He was either 62 or 65 years old.