Prominent African musician Mory Kante laid to rest, funeral attended by family and friends

Mory Kante, an influential figure in African and world music, has been laid to rest in Guinea's capital. Family, friends and fans gathered to celebrate his life at a funeral service on Tuesday in Conakry, before his body was carried to the city's Kipe Cemetery. Kante died last Friday aged 70.

He brought Guinean, and Mandingo, culture to the world. He was called "an ambassador of Afro-Pop music." His song "Yeke Yeke," released in the late 80s, has been remixed and covered extensively. Kante's son, Balla Kante, told The Associated Press that his father had not been feeling well for quite some time and died in a hospital in the capital, Conakry.

Kante's first international album, "Kourougnègnè," was released in 1981 and his last, "La Guinéenne," in 2012. Alpha Conde, president of Guinea, tweeted on Friday that "African culture is in mourning".

(Image credit: Representative Image)