Salif Keita was born on 25 Aug 1949 in Djoliba, Mali. His birth name was Salif Keita.

Salif Keita is an internationally recognized afro-pop singer-songwriter from Mali. He is unique not only because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita. This royal heritage meant that under the Malian caste system, he should never have become a singer, which was deemed to be a griot’s role.

Salif Keita released the following albums including La Difference (2010), Folon (2009), The Mansa of Mali...A Retrospective (2007), 20th Century Masters (2007), The Lost Album (2006), M'Bemba (2006), Best of Salif Keita: Golden Voice of Mali (2004), Ko-Yan (2003), Moffou (2002), Papa (1999), 69-80 (1999), Seydou Bathili (1999), Amen (1991), Soro (1990) and Ko Yan (1989).