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Chérif M'Baw
(Senegal)
Biography
Chérif M'Baw (or Mbaw) is a singer, composer and acoustic guitar
player from Ziguinchor, the capital
of the Casamance region in the south of Senegal. Although it was foreseen that he would be a craftsmen like his father,
he chose to be musician instead and despite all difficulties, he stood by this choice. After encouragements by
Youssou N'Dour he was enrolled in a traditional music course at the Conservatory in Dakar
and learnt to play the acoustic guitar at the same time. In 1994, he went to Paris for the first time for a contest
organised by UNESCO. He came back to Paris a few times before settling permanently and made a living singing in the
Parisian underground railway, accompanying himself with his guitar. His voice and talent have been recognised and he was
asked to contribute a song on a sampler CD of subway musicians, titled
« Correspondances », compiled in 2003 by the underground railway authority
RATP.
By then, he had already a record deal and a first album out.
This first album by Cherif, « Kham Kham », has been very well received, and is offering a mix of mbalax and folk, with tinges of flamenco, classical music and Indian music. There are guest appearances from Indian and Cuban musicians (Omar Sosa), and the song « Doomu Adama » is a refreshing duet with British singer Carmel McCourt. Cherif succeeded more than many others in mixing this variety of styles.
This first album by Cherif, « Kham Kham », has been very well received, and is offering a mix of mbalax and folk, with tinges of flamenco, classical music and Indian music. There are guest appearances from Indian and Cuban musicians (Omar Sosa), and the song « Doomu Adama » is a refreshing duet with British singer Carmel McCourt. Cherif succeeded more than many others in mixing this variety of styles.
Chérif M'Baw
Moreover, his crystal-clear voice, reminding of a younger Youssou N'Dour,
and a poetic approach make the album convincing, remained distant from too much mainstream (afro-)pop, as the Senegalese
background is remaining as a strong pillar. The mbalax, however, never becomes formatted or a cliché, and the
solid musical training of Cherif M'Baw is paying back. « Kham Kham » has
been a convincing debut. Cherif released two more albums, « Demain » in 2005,
and « Sing For Me » in 2010.
Born: 25 December 1968, in Ziguinchor (Casamance)
Style: mbalax, afro-folk
Discography
Born: 25 December 1968, in Ziguinchor (Casamance)
Style: mbalax, afro-folk
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Sing For Me | 2010 | World Village | |
| Demain | 2005 | All Other AOM003 | |
| Kham Kham | 2001 | Détour/Erato 857380213-2 |
Sources
Page added April 2005