National Badema - Original Kasse Mady

Kasse Mady Diabate (1949, Kela, Kangaba, Mali ? May 24, 2018, Bamako) was a Malian singer, musician and griot. His soft and particular voice with deep undertones ? an atypical characteristic for a griot ? earned him the nickname "The golden voice of Mali". He is considered, together with Salif Keita, as one of the greatest Mandinka artists of his generation. In the early 1970s Kass? Mady Diabat? started singing with Super Mande band led by his brother Abdoulaye Diabat?. After assisting them in winning the 1973 Biennale festival, he was recruited by Las Maravillas de Mali. This band had recently returned from eight years in Cuba. Around 1976, the band changed its name to National Badema du Mali.