Mangala Camara, A Master of Music

Founded in 2008 by Mangala Camara and a close friend, Mieruba-ML is an artist-led independent music label based in Ségou, Mali. The label’s mission is to honor, protect, and promote Mali’s musical heritage and melodies while ensuring that men and women of the golden era of creativity in the years following independence do not go unrecognized.

Mieruba-ML embodies Mangala’s spirit, one of the greatest masters of contemporary Malian music. So it is no surprise that in 2010, he was the first artist that the label produced.

His album entitled “Renaissance”, released posthumously and now part of the Lost Maestros collection, is a blend of original compositions and rearrangements of traditional Mandingue music.

Mamoutou Camara was born in Kéniéba, a small town near the border with Senegal, in 1960. This area has been known for its gold since the 12th century. Mamoutou Camara, the son of a soldier and a comedian, is arguably Kéniéba’s most famous export.

Although he was not from a griot family, at the age of 8 he was determined to become one and received the blessings of highly respected griot which enabled him to pursue his dreams fearlessly and with full confidence.

The nickname “Mangalani” or "lanky legs", given to him by bullies was initially resented by a young Mamoutou. But he turned it into a brand and asset and was recruited by hometown orchestra, Tambaoura Jazz at age 12.

"Men and women complement one another, even when there are problems, it's still about complementarity." - Mangala Camara on the song "Tiè ni Musso" from his final album, "Renaissance."