"What I like about The Netherlands? The herring and beers!"

Being a role model yourself, who is yours?
My role model is Nelson Mandela of course! For his battle against apartheid, for his courage while being imprisoned and, most of all, for becoming the first black president in a country full of problems. He’s an icon. It’s like he’s a painting: you see it at a glance. He’s been an example to the whole world.

And your musical role models?
In the 1980s, I listened to rock music like Pink Floyd, Genesis, Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. But I also liked African musicians, such as Salif Keita, Ali Farka Touré, Bo Sambo and Bembeya Jazz. These musicians had a great influence on me.

What is the most precious object you own?
 My guitar. I’ve got several ones, but one of them I always bring along. It’s without a doubt my favourite guitar.

If I was on your doorstep right now, where would you take me?
I’d take you to Mali, to a river shore where I meet my friends. We sit, we listen to music, we talk, we laugh, we drink. It’s the joy of simplicity.

What is your first association with the Netherlands?
My Dutch friends. And my first guitar amplifier, which I got from a Dutchman, that was an amazing gift. The Netherlands also reminds me of the good Dutch beers and herring!

I’m proud to be African because…
We have a great and diverse musical legacy. Without that, I wouldn’t stand where I’m now. I’m a proud Malian; it’s a country full of tenderness, with goodhearted people.

You’re an ambassador for UNICEF since 2010. What is your main goal?
We started a programme for children on the importance of hygiene, mainly on washing hands with soap. In sub-Saharan Africa, people are still not well aware of the importance of hygiene. So it’s important to tell people, especially children, to wash their hands before eating, as well as after leaving the bathroom and playing outside. For this good cause, I also recorded a song.

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