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The songwriter and guitarist Sidi Touré is a superstar in Mali. But in the last 18 months, a violent insurgency from the country's northern regions made life very difficult — especially for artists. Now, he's set to release a new album, Alafia, recorded while rebels occupied his home town.

The Songhai singer-songwriter pays tribute to his hometown of Gao, Mali, on his newest album, Koima.

When Touré plays and sings on his new album, you can feel him channeling ancient folklore through the modern filter of an acoustic guitar.