Photos: Malick Sidibé Portraits of Mali

After opening up his studio in the 1960s, legendary photographer Malick Sidibé found the vessels of his iconic black and white photos in the streets of Mali’s busy capital. Often photographing Malian youth, Sidibé captures the romantic, carefree, ambitious, and overall cool energy that represented the newly independent country. A collection of Sidibé's classic black and white prints, as well as some never-before-seen color prints can be found in the new book "Malick Sidibé: Portraits of Mali" out today. Purchase your copy of the book here, and check out some of our favorite Sidibé shots below. (Even Janet Jackson loves his work, watch her Got til it’s Gone music video which also pays homage to the legendary photographer.)