Boubacar Traoré

On Tour

258,343 plays (42,465 listeners)
In your library (0 plays)

25 shouts

Add to my Library Share

Boubacar Traoré (born 1942 in Kayes, Mali) is a renowned singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

Traoré, nicknamed “Kar Kar” (“the one who dribbles too much” in Bambara, a reference to his soccer playing), first came to prominence in the early 1960s. He had taught himself to play guitar and developed a unique style that blended blues, Arab music, and kassonké, a style native to the Kayes region. He was a superstar in Mali and a symbol of the newly independent country. His songs were immensely popular and he enjoyed regular radio play. However, he made no recordings, and since there were no royalties payed to musicians, he was very poor and had to work odd jobs to make ends meet.

During the 1970s Traoré’s popularity faded, until a surprise television appearance in 1987. Soon after this “rediscovery,” Boubacar’s wife passed away. Grief-stricken, he moved to France and did construction work to support his six children. While there, a British record producer discovered a tape of one of Traoré’s radio performances, and he was finally signed to a record deal. His first album, Mariama, was released in 1990. Since then, Traoré has enjoyed international popularity, touring Europe, Africa, and North America.

Boubacar Traoré was the subject of the 2001 film Je chanterai pour toi (“I’ll Sing For You”), released on DVD in 2005.

Tagged as:

african, mali, world, blues, africa
See more…

Similar Artists

Top Albums

The Best Of Boubacar Traoré
Boubacar Traoré
Buy
- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 Search
- 7digital Search
- iTunes Search
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search
Mariama
Boubacar Traoré
Buy
- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $7.92
- 7digital $6.99
- iTunes $7.92
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search
Kongo Magni
Boubacar Traoré
Buy at Amazon
Kar Kar
Boubacar Traoré
Buy
- Download Album
- Amazon MP3 $8.99
- 7digital $6.99
- iTunes $9.90
- Buy Album
- Amazon Search
- eBay Search

Top Tracks

1	Kanou full track	91
2	Mariama Kaba	75
3	Kar Kar Madison	71
4	Mouso Teke Soma Ye	65
5	Diarabi full track	59
6	Mali Twist	56
7	Je chanterai pour toi	55
8	Pierrette full track	53
9	Bebe Bo Nadero	49
10	Kele	34
11	Adieu Pierrette full track	25
12	Kongo Magni full track	22
12	Kayes-Ba full track	22
12	Santa Mariya full track	22
15	Soundiata full track	21

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).

Horrabridge-1 wrote:
18 days ago

takes me back to west africa

View Profile | Leave Horrabridge-1 a shout
toutelamusique wrote:
25 days ago

I wish "Sa Golo" was on here. That song is just stunning.

View Profile | Leave toutelamusique a shout
prankojed wrote:
October 2009

Magic jewel from Africa..

View Profile | Leave prankojed a shout
sanderronda wrote:
July 2009

Beautiful Sound

View Profile | Leave sanderronda a shout
obydlus wrote:
June 2009

Never heard a shout of that.

View Profile | Leave obydlus a shout
wizardovski wrote:
May 2009

I have just 2 albums: Kar kar and Kongo magni. If someone have another ones let send me links. thanks!

View Profile | Leave wizardovski a shout
carmenloofah wrote:
May 2009

love it

View Profile | Leave carmenloofah a shout
mikefloering wrote:
April 2009

I have never heard or possibly seen a more accurate portrayal of the modern human. Boubacar, like winterskylark said, cuts to the very core of me. I have never so loved a man's art.

View Profile | Leave mikefloering a shout
winterskylark wrote:
April 2009

Beautiful music. Hits the centre of your heart.

View Profile | Leave winterskylark a shout
marceloChaojr wrote:
March 2009

when i am nervous,sad or angry i just listen to this music and feel how my soul flies away...

View Profile | Leave marceloChaojr a shout
majo334 wrote:
February 2009

he touches my heart

View Profile | Leave majo334 a shout
HalfCrazyGirl wrote:
December 2008

Please, join Congolese Music Rocks!!!

View Profile | Leave HalfCrazyGirl a shout
mojiabedini wrote:
October 2008

original blues on pentatonic cordial scale you can listen to it fi hours it cures your mind, it soaks you up, roots of blues goes back to mali and mauretania, wonderful

View Profile | Leave mojiabedini a shout
avivamagnolia wrote:
September 2008

Can't seem to get enough of Boubacar's singing. It's so full of longing, a plaintive, wise chant. The guitar is simple and lovely, with just the right density, and I love the gracefully stretched notes. Boubacar has just the right touch of sandy roughness in his voice, a homegrown, down home, tender but not corny sound.

View Profile | Leave avivamagnolia a shout
codyodell wrote:
September 2008

This guy is awesome, like an African version of Boozoo Chavis, but way more intense.

View Profile | Leave codyodell a shout
henbenny wrote:
July 2008

music from the source!

View Profile | Leave henbenny a shout
NineofClubs wrote:
March 2008

It's almost like zydeco in some parts.

View Profile | Leave NineofClubs a shout
Konkapa wrote:
February 2008

I realized that Boubacar's music is very similar to Coltrane's modal blues.

View Profile | Leave Konkapa a shout
silesianstork wrote:
February 2008

Konkapa is always right when it comes to speak about black music

View Profile | Leave silesianstork a shout
Calenthe wrote:
February 2008

Konkapa, you're right :)

View Profile | Leave Calenthe a shout