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Amadou Bagayoko of Amadou & Mariam Dies at 70

The Grammy-nominated musician, known for blending Malian traditions with Western sounds, passed away following an illness, leaving a lasting legacy in global music.

70th Cannes Film Festival - Screening of the TV series "Twin Peaks" presented as part of 70th Anniversary Events - Red Carpet Arrivals - Cannes, France. 25/05/2017. Musicians Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia pose.  REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
FILE - Blind duo from Mali, Amadou Bagayoko, right, and Mariam Doumbia, seen, during a concert in Paris, Monday, Dec. 1, 2008. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, file)
Blind Malian duo Amadou & Mariam comprising Mariam Doumbia (L) and Amadou Bagayoko perform at the Glastonbury Festival 2009 in south west England June 28, 2009.   REUTERS/Luke MacGregor/File Photo
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Overview

  • Amadou Bagayoko, guitarist and singer of the Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, passed away on April 4, 2025, at the age of 70 after an illness.
  • The musician was taken to a clinic after feeling fatigue and died later that day, as confirmed by his family and manager.
  • Amadou & Mariam gained international acclaim with their 2004 album 'Dimanche à Bamako' and were Grammy-nominated in 2010.
  • The duo were celebrated for their unique fusion of traditional Malian music with rock and blues, as well as advocacy for the blind and disabled.
  • Tributes continue to pour in, including from Malian culture minister Mamou Daffe, while Mariam Doumbia, Amadou's wife and musical partner, has not yet made a public statement.