Salif Keita is one of Mali's biggest musicians. He is an Afro-pop singer-songwriter. He is affectionately called the golden voice of Africa. He also has multiple grammy nominations. His music combines traditional West African music styles with influences from both Europe and the Americas, while maintaining an overall Islamic style. Musical instruments that are commonly featured in Keita's work include balafons, djembes, guitars, koras, organs, saxophones, and synthesizers.

He is a direct descendant of the founder of the Mali Empire, Sundiata Keita. Because Salif was born an albino (3rd of 13 children), he was outcast by his family and community, since being albino was a sign of bad luck in Mandinka culture. His father banished him and his mother from the house but his attitude changed after a village priest predicted his son would become famous. He used to go out to fields and sing loudly to scare birds which helped him develop a very strong voice.

In 1967, he left his home in Djoliba for Bamako, where he joined the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. He then joined Les Ambassadeurs in 1973. Due to political unrest, Keita and Les Ambassadeurs fled Mali during the mid-1970s for Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire and subsequently changed the group's name to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales. The group's reputation grew and they became internationally acclaimed while Salif Keita received a National Order award from the president of Guinea, Sékou Touré. Interestingly, his major international breakthrough was through the song, Mandjou, which praised Sékou Touré; the song was written to acknowledge Toure's support for Mandingo culture.

After sojourning in Paris and much of Europe for many years, he returned home to record Moffou (2002) which was hailed as one of his best albums ever. He has built a recording studio in Bamako. He has also built a club called Moffou in Bamako to promote West African music.

His song Tomorrow was featured on the soundtrack to Will Smith's blockbuster movie Ali (a tribute to Muhammad Ali aka Cassius Clay).

He wants his music to have something positive to say to his audience and this also reflects in all the projects he does outside music. He is also an outspoken critic of the Malian government. He also has a foundation that provides support to African Albinos including building a hospital in Mali. He was named United Nations Ambassador for Music and Sports and dedicated himself to causes like Malaria, AIDS and the plight of Albinos in Mali and around the world in December 2004.

Some of his songs include Africa, Tomorrow (Sadio), Madan, Mandjou, Baba, Nyanyama, Moussoulou, Ananaming, Tekere, Here, Nyanafin, Folon, Sumun, Djembe, Koukou, Katolon, Yambo, Nou pas bouger, Mandela, Karifa, Waraya, Tolon Willie, Dery, Yele n na, Primpin, etc