Ali Farka Touré, a highly successful West African musician in the '90s, was often likened to American blues legends like John Lee Hooker and Lightnin' Hopkins for his deep vocals and rhythmic style. Despite the comparisons, Touré's sound had a sweeter tone and a diverse lyrical focus on education, work, love, and society. His music drew from African traditions and gained global recognition through collaborations with artists like Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

Touré's career saw peaks with Grammy-winning albums like Talking Timbuktu and posthumous releases like Savane. Despite battling bone cancer, he continued to create music, including the acclaimed album Ali & Toumani with kora player Toumani Diabaté. Touré's legacy as a musician who stayed true to his roots while embracing international collaborations remains influential in the world music scene.