Mali and me: Damon Albarn made “local king” in Mali
The Blur man’s had a classroom named after him, and he’s been given a fancy new name to boot.
Blur frontman Damon Albarn has been made a “local king” of Mali.
It’s as swish as it sounds really - in addition to the swanky new title, a classroom has been named after Damon, and he’s been given a new name too. That’s Makandjan Kamissoko. Which is a bit of a tongue-twister, really.
Makandjan has a longstanding relationship with Mali. He released ‘Mali Music’, a collaboration album with local musicians in 2002, along with the Africa Express collabs ’Maison Des Jeunes’ and ‘In C Mali’ in 2013 and 2015 respectively. Earlier this month, he ignored a state of emergency in the country to perform at Festival Acoustik Bamako. What a badass king.
“I’m not used to this sort of thing, but it’s fantastic to see this classroom,” said King Albarn, “And it’s a school dedicated to music and dance. That’s where my heart is, so my heart is here.”
Listen to a Radio 4 report on the crowning of our almighty leader below.
Read More
Taylor Swift tells Damon Albarn: “It’s really fucked up to try and discredit my writing”
The Gorillaz and Blur frontman told the LA Times that Taylor “doesn’t write her own songs”.
4 Stars
Damon Albarn - The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows
At once warm and familiar but simultaneously a little odd.
Damon Albarn airs new track, ‘The Tower Of Montevideo’
New solo album ‘The Nearer The Fountain, More Pure The Stream Flows’ is out next month.
Damon Albarn turns up the grandeur with a career-spanning set at Shakespeare’s Globe
A night with two British institutions for the price of one.