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Damon Albarn: Now a ‘Local King’ in Mali

Blur and Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has long been a propoent of the music of Northwest African country Mali, literally titling his 2002 debut solo LP Mali Music. For the support and exposure Albarn has given the nation, he was recently given the title of “Local King,” and he has also been honored by having a school of music and dance (located south of capital city Bamako) named after him.

In a BBC Radio 4 report of the new designation, Albarn said “I’m not used to this sort of thing, but it’s fantastic to see this schoolroom, and it’s a school dedicated to music and dance. That’s where my heart is, and that’s where my heart is here.” Listen below, and next time you get the urge to confront Albarn with your best Liam Gallagher impression, remember that it’s royalty you’re trolling.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03jwg61/player