He lives a life infused with humility. He’s a man of tradition, wise words, lives passed. He’s a musician, a poet, an entertainer. He’s a storyteller.
French-influenced West Africa calls him a griot [gree-oh]. Which denotes that his position as a storyteller in Malian society is a biologically-inherited, social obligation.
In Mali, Cheick Hamala Diabate tells me, you go to the griot when you are about to get married, have a baby, [seek advice] regarding your life direction, or when two people are fighting—“people trust the griot more than they trust the government,” says Diabate. “They say in Mali, when one griot dies, it’s like one library burned.”
The people and their stories are the roots of inspiration for the music; each song is about someone’s family. After learning new information, deep feelings inspire a new story, new music, he says. “When someone comes to me with sad news, I want to play music that will make them happy.”
Of the three instruments that are traditionally associated with griot storytelling, the n’goni (four strings; ancestor to the banjo) is Cheick’s specialty. His performances, however, employ a variety of stringed instruments—including a seven-string n’goni he made himself.
Cheick has taken his storytelling beyond his village, beyond Mali. He has traveled to many countries and worked with many political leaders. He released an album in 2006 titled Kele Manyi De—roughly translated—“It’s not good to fight.”
Two additional albums have followed, and a 7″, “Tagamba” b/w “Sigi Diya” released this fall by Electric Cowbell Records.
Cheick has also worked with many big names in music but insists that he learns, and is musically influenced the most, by those that come to learn from him.
Diabate continues to engage in music tours that have him skirting off to different corners of the globe. When he goes home to Mali, Diabate says, “… in the airport, it’s like I’m Michael Jackson!”
However, you can catch him this Friday, December 16th at Rock and Roll Hotel! He’ll be performing with Empresarios and Sol Power, and we have a pair of tickets along with some sweet wax to give away.
DC Latin funk-dub masters Empresarios will be playing RnR with Diabate. They just put out the Sabor Del Año Mix for your listening pleasure yesterday.
Empresarios – Sabor Del Año Mix
Cheick said, “When someone comes to me with sad news, I want to play music that will make them happy.” To win a pair of tickets to the show, along with the Empresarios 2xLP Sabor Tropical, tell us in the comments below, a song that you play to make others happy.
The winner will be chosen on Friday (12/16) at noon and must confirm the prize pack via email by 3pm for the show that night.
Photos by Lauren Jaslow, Snarky Studios
