Barthelémy Attisso remembered

The World

Composer and guitar player for Senegal’s legendary Orchestra Baobab, Barthelémy Attisso, died at the end of August at his home in Togo. He was 76. If you’ve listened to much Afropop from the last few decades, it was likely inspired in part by Attisso’s quintessential electric guitar sound. The World’s Marco Werman has an appreciation for this virtuoso guitarist who never left his day job as a lawyer.

Will you support The World?

Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.

Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.