Photo: Mamadi Bagayogo
Known as Papa , Mamadi Bagayogo is one of the best djémbé player of Ivory Coast.

Mamadi Bagayogo

Papa is a descendent of Fakoli, the ancestor of blacksmiths. His father is Fode Bagayogo, a master of djembé who played for a long time with Adama Dramé. When Fode Bagayogo left Ivory Coast to Guinea, Papa remained with Adama Dramé to be his student.

— Courtesy Calabash Music