RUBY KWASIBA SAVAGE

I always wondered about the music that would’ve played in the clubs at the time Malick would be taking his photographs so this selektion made specially for herri was a great chance to explore. My imagination takes me to a mix of James Brown, Afro-Funk, High Life and Malian Music. High energy to match the exuberance of a generation that came of age while their country became independent of their colonisers. Exhilarated by wholeheartedly being young, free and African. 

But what do I know…this is just my fantasy….

What I do know tho, growing up in 80/90’s Europe and learning of Malick’s photography as a young adult is that it gave me courage and pride to be Black. Even if I didn’t have a direct lineage to Mali seeing the people and how he captured them, they somehow helped me shape a part of my wider identity and extended my history of blackness in the most positive way. So fantasy or not they gave me real power and I hope the mix does the same. Aaah Danger probably one of my faves too!! That’s the Lijadu sisters. Check out their song Life Gone Down Low too – it’s incredible. 

All photos by Malick Sedibé