20/07/2012 GMT
Baaba Maal is maintaining a West African tradition: he is an internationally renowned musician with a strong political voice, like Fela Kuti and Youssou N'Dour before him.
His campaigning touches on sensitive subjects, from women's rights to HIV and climate change.
Africa is currently a jarring mix of rapid economic growth and life-threatening poverty. As the continent changes, is the music changing too?
(Image: Baaba Maal performing. Credit: Getty Images)
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