France, May 22 -- Guinea's President Alpha Conde led the tributes on Friday to the Guinean musician Mory Kante who has died at the age of 70. The vocalist and kora harp player'sdeath was announced by two members of hisfamily, according to the ActuJeune Guinean news website.

Kante had an exceptional careerand displayed a certain pride,Conde said on Twitter.

Born on 24 February, 1950, in the village of Albadaria, near Kissidougou, in the south of Guinea, Kante was part of a celebrated family of griots, west African historians, storytellers, musicians or poets.

At the age seven he was sent to live in Bamako, Mali, with his aunt, another well-known griote, where he developed his skills as a singer and musician.

Melting pot

The Malian mus...