Sacko, Fanta
Photo obtained from Discogs.
Born in 1929, Fanta Sacko, a pioneering Malian musician from Kankan, Guinea, is celebrated for her contributions to the bajourou music genre and for establishing a female singing tradition in Mali. This achievement is particularly significant given the general disapproval of female popular musicians in West Africa. Sacko's early musical environment was rich, being the daughter of a renowned kora player and related to legendary figures such as Sidiki Diabaté and Madu Bansang. Her formative years in Mali immersed her in native musical traditions, further influenced by artists like Fodeba Keita and Sory Kandia.
Sacko's professional career began in the mid-1960s, culminating in an innovative style by the decade's end. She named this style 'jamana kura,' or 'new age,' characterized by melodious, accessible songs accompanied by acoustic guitars tuned to mimic traditional koras, alongside ngoni (flutes). Her music, distinct for its romantic themes, diverged from prevailing norms and garnered her significant acclaim with hits like ‘Jarabi.’
Despite her early success, Sacko faced significant obstacles. The demands of motherhood limited her recording and performing opportunities, and her disappointment with her solo album, "Musique Du Mali," was compounded by exploitation. In 1970, government agents offered to record her best-known songs with a promise of shared royalties, which she never received, reflecting the exploitative practices in the African music industry.
Although her popularity waned due to limited recording opportunities, Sacko continued performing at civil ceremonies and parties. By the mid-1980s, adverse effects from skin bleach led her to retire from the stage, marking the end of an influential but challenging career.
Solo(s) work for the Classical Guitar:
