Ali Farka Touré to announce shock retirement from music?

Sad news for Touré fans. Speculation had been rife that legend of desert music will announce his retirement from music, at age 86, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 24/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a musician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a musician-singer just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouAli Farka

For a little while on Monday evening, #ThankYouAli Farka was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouAli Farka.”
— @DesireePlum, 23 Mar 2026

“I thought Ali Farka Touré retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 23 Mar 2026

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