Amadou & Mariam's Share New Single 'Bofou Safou'; Set North American Tour
By: Caryn Robbins Apr. 14, 2017
Malian music duo and Grammy-award nominees Amadou & Mariam's new single "Bofou Safou" is now available. The Quietus premiered the lyric video, which you can watch
HERE. Of the track, The Quietus proclaims, "The sharp, synth-driven number shows the pair moving into a more Afrobeat infused disco and funk direction..." Link to single HERE.
This summer the pair will embark on their first major market North American headline in four years with stops in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Montreal and more. See below for a full tour itinerary.
The duo is readying a full album of new music, La Confusion, slated for release later in 2017 on Because Music. In reference to the new single, the term "bofou safou" is a bambara (Malian national language) nickname given to nonchalant young men who would rather dance than work. The duo collaborated with James Stewart for the compilation James Stewart (Voilaaa Sound System) & Amadou & Mariam Present: The 'Bofou Safou' Mixtape, which is available for streaming now. Listen/share HERE.
Hailing from Mali, Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia first met as children at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind-both lost their vision at an early age. It was here that they began performing in the institute's Eclipse Orchestra. Eventually the couple would marry and began recording together in the 80s.
Over the span of three decades, Amadou (guitar and vocals) and Mariam (vocals) developed an international following having recorded eight full-length albums and toured around the world. Their albumWelcome To Mali (2008) was nominated for the "Best Contemporary World Music Album" at the 52ndGrammy Awards. Tour highlights for the duo include supporting U2 on their U2 360 Tour, performing at the 2010 World Cup for FIFA's Kick-Off Celebration and performing alongside major acts across multiple genres such as Blur, Coldplay and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, among others.
AMADOU & MARIAM LIVE
July 13-Montreal, QC-Festival Internacional Nuits d'Afrique
July 14-Quebec, QC-Festival D'été de Quebec
July 15-Northampton, MA-Green River Festival
July 20-Washington, DC-9:30 Club
July 22-Philadelphia, PA-World Café Live
July 24-Chicago, IL-Millennium Park
July 27-Minneapolis, MN-Cedar Cultural Center
July 29-Boulder, CO-Boulder Theater
July 30-Telluride, CO-Sheridan Opera House
August 2-Tucson, AZ-Rialto Theater
August 4-Los Angeles, CA-The Fonda Theatre
August 5-Santa Cruz, CA-Catalyst
August 9 & 10-Seattle, WA-Triple Door
THE BOFOU SAFOU MIXTAPE TRACK LIST
1. Ya La (Oumou Sangare)
2. Biguine inferno (O.R.E.A)
3. Kognokoura (Niama Makalou & African Soul Band)
4. Ta Lassa (International Soleil Band)
5. Delirium (Francine McGee)
6. Oba Oyebade Lipede - James Stewart & Chylorama Edit (Shina Adewale)
7. Body & Soul - Justin Strauss & Bryan Mette Whatever Remix (William Onyeabor)
8. Bissao - Pilooski Edit (Francis Bebey)
9. Pour la vie ft. Pat Kalla (Voilaaa)
10. Delectation (Livy Ekemezie)
11. Bazouka (Eric Cosaque)
12. Empuja Empuja (Nina Emilia)
13. Mbongo Mokosi (Pablo Lubadika Porthos)
14. Courougnegne - Ledoux Records (Mory Kanté)
15. Dyana (Amadou & Mariam)
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