Veteran Guinean singer Mory Kante, who helped propel African music to a global audience in the 1980s, died on Friday 22, May in Conakry.

Mory Kante is popular for his dance song “Yeke Yeke“, a huge hit in Africa before topping charts in several European countries in 1988.

The 70-year old “electronic griot” died in hospital after succumbing to untreated health problems.

He suffered from chronic illnesses and often traveled to France for treatment, but that was no longer possible with the coronavirus.

Balla Kante

He later added that he witnessed his condition deteriorate rapidly but was still surprised because he’d been through much worse times.

Kante was a phenomenal musician who played guitar, the kora harp and balafon, in addition to being a vocalist.