Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doubia were both born in Bamako, Mali and happen to both be visually impaired — you guessed right, the sunglasses aren’t a fashion statement.
Mariam and Amadou weren’t born blind. Mariam lost her sight at 5 years old and Amadou at 16. Ever since she was very little, Mariam would spend her time with an ear stuck on her father’s old radio to learn all her favorite songs by heart. Amadou, on the other hand, spent his teenage years listening to Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, John Lee Hooker and Eric Clapton and mastering his favourite instrument, the guitar.
The couple met in 1975 at the institute for the blind at Bamako. They released their first album “Sou ni Tilé” in France in 1997. In 2003, they released a new album with Manu Chao with successful titles like “Senegal Fast Food” and “M’bifé”. They went on to sing with Shakira in June 2010 during the world cup and in December 2010 at Oslo to honour president Obama during the Nobel Price ceremony.
Their latest album, “Folila”, features many artists that the couple have met during their career; a blend of themes, genres and cultures that seem to only fit artists like Amadou and Mariam.

Citizens of the world, Amadou and Mariam charm us with their songs of love, democracy and solidarity. They truly are one of the most beautiful couples in the music industry. If not the most beautiful couple of music.

By Dima Alameddine (List is in no particular order)

(Full YouTube and Spotify playlists at the bottom)

 

16. Beaux Dimanches

15. Chantez- Chantez

14. A Radio Mogo

13. Toubala Kono

12. La réalité

11. M’Bifé

10. Mon Amour, Ma Chérie

9. Masiteladi

8. Fête au village

7. Chérie

6. Oh Amadou (ft Bertrand Cantat)

5. Sénégal fast food (ft Manu Chao)

4. Magossa

3. Sabali

2. Ce n’est pas bon

1. Je pense à toi

 

YouTube Playlist:

Spotify Playlist: