Hama Sankaré

Full name	Hama Sankaré
Country	Mali

Hama Sankaré was a legendary Malian musician who defined the contemporary style of calabash percussion. He served as the rhythmic anchor for many of Mali's greatest icons, including Ali Farka Touré, Afel Bocoum, the Songhoy Allstars, and Mamadou Kelly’s BanKaiNa. His influence as a composer, arranger, and instrumentalist remains unchallenged after decades of touring the world. His distinct percussion and vocals are featured on countless seminal Malian recordings. Beyond his work with l’Orchestre de Gao and le Troupe Regionale de Niafunké, he transitioned from a behind-the-scenes master to a solo artist, eventually releasing his debut album Ballébé in 2019. He lived as a farmer and musician until his tragic death in 2020.