Malian guitarist, singer, and composer Vieux Farka Toure is carrying on the great musical tradition of his father Ali Farka Toure. It didn't always seem inevitable, however, Ali wanted to shelter his son from the foreseeable suffering he might encounter as a musician and advised him to become a soldier instead. Vieux, against his father's wishes, began secretly playing along to his father's records and eventually went on to pursue his dream by enrolling in the National Arts Institute in Bamako. He soon became a guitar virtuoso and was creating a buzz big enough that the world's premiere kora player, Toumani Diabate, discovered his music and convinced his father to give his blessing to his son. The rest is history!

Check out this video of Vieux jammin' on his guitar.