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Youssou N'Dour
(Senegal)
Biography
Youssou N'Dour is undoubtedly one the most famous African artists. Singing since the age of 12, he
started his musical career with the Star Band de Dakar. By 1979, he established his own
group, the Etoile de Dakar. Due to a split-up, the group continued as Super Etoile
as of 1981. They became the most succesful outfit in Dakar, with a constant production of albums for the Senegalese market
throughout nearly three decades.
It was with the same band that Youssou gained first international recognition through the album « Immigrés ». The rock-solid instrumental powerhouse of Super Etoile and Youssou's signature tenor voice brought him the attention of Paul Simon, on whose album Graceland he featured, and especially of Peter Gabriel. He toured extensively with Gabriel, and with the 1988 Amnesty International tour with Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, and Tracy Chapman. Youssou N'Dour started producing records for international audiences and on major labels, such as the albums « The Lion » (1989), « Set » (1990) and « The Guide / Wommat » with considerable success.
Internationally, the success of the single « Seven Seconds » with Neneh Cherry has been of pivotal importance in his career. But his influence on Senegalese music and African music in general has been bigger than that, he has a lasting impact on how the Western world regards Africans and African music. Now, he is seen as the most prolific and influential African artist, who is able to remain successful both in Africa as on the international level.
Youssou N'Dour adapted his music on CDs to Western listeners, but he never forgot his roots. He still lives in Dakar, where he owns a recording studio since 1991 (Xippi), a record company since 1995 (Jololi) but also a media firm (Futurs Médias) with a radio station, a newspaper and since 2010 also a TV station. He is equally involved in humanitarian issues. In 1985, he organised a concert in Dakar for the liberation of Nelson Mandela and over the years he was active for various international organisations UNICEF, FAO and Amnesty International.
In 2012, his candidature for the presidential elections was rejected by the Supreme Court, but under the new Government he became Minister of Culture and Tourism in April 2012, and then since October 2012 Minister of Tourism. Under a new Prime Minister, he became Special Adviser to the President in September 2013.
It was with the same band that Youssou gained first international recognition through the album « Immigrés ». The rock-solid instrumental powerhouse of Super Etoile and Youssou's signature tenor voice brought him the attention of Paul Simon, on whose album Graceland he featured, and especially of Peter Gabriel. He toured extensively with Gabriel, and with the 1988 Amnesty International tour with Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, and Tracy Chapman. Youssou N'Dour started producing records for international audiences and on major labels, such as the albums « The Lion » (1989), « Set » (1990) and « The Guide / Wommat » with considerable success.
Internationally, the success of the single « Seven Seconds » with Neneh Cherry has been of pivotal importance in his career. But his influence on Senegalese music and African music in general has been bigger than that, he has a lasting impact on how the Western world regards Africans and African music. Now, he is seen as the most prolific and influential African artist, who is able to remain successful both in Africa as on the international level.
Youssou N'Dour adapted his music on CDs to Western listeners, but he never forgot his roots. He still lives in Dakar, where he owns a recording studio since 1991 (Xippi), a record company since 1995 (Jololi) but also a media firm (Futurs Médias) with a radio station, a newspaper and since 2010 also a TV station. He is equally involved in humanitarian issues. In 1985, he organised a concert in Dakar for the liberation of Nelson Mandela and over the years he was active for various international organisations UNICEF, FAO and Amnesty International.
In 2012, his candidature for the presidential elections was rejected by the Supreme Court, but under the new Government he became Minister of Culture and Tourism in April 2012, and then since October 2012 Minister of Tourism. Under a new Prime Minister, he became Special Adviser to the President in September 2013.
Youssou N'Dour
Some key members of Super Etoile:
Jimi Mbaye (1956-2025) guitar;
Habib Faye (1965–2018) bass;
Assane Thiam tama (talking drum)
Ousseynou 'Ouzin' N'Diaye vocals, backing vocals - left for health reasons
Rhane Diallo vocals, saxophone
Nicolas Menheim vocals
Daouda Gassama († July 2010, illness) guitar
Pape Oumar Ngom rhythm guitar
Kabou Gueye guitar, bass
Maguette Dieng timbales, drums
Fallou 'Galass' Niang drums (replacing Maguette Dieng)
M'Baye Dieye Faye percussion, tumba
Alla (Abdoulaye) Seck (* 1955, Gossas (Kaolack region), † 14 June 1987, typhoid fever): vocals, animation, dance;
Marc Samb († 1982, accident): trumpet;
Born: October 1, 1959, in Dakar
Style: mbalax
Discography
| International releases: | |||
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Eclairer Le Monde - Light the World | 2025 | Membran | Youssou N'Dour TBI | CD | LP | Digital |
| Mbalax | 2021 | Universal Music Africa | CD | Digital |
| History | 2019 | Naive | CD | Digital |
| Africa Rekk | 2016 | Jive Epic | CD | Digital |
| From Senegal to the World | 2012 | Nascente NSDCD032 | 2CD, compilation 80s classics & rarities |
| Dakar-Kingston | 2010 | Emarcy/Universal | CD |
| I Bring what I Love | 2010 | Nonesuch | Music from the Motion Picture |
| Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take) | 2007 | WEA Music/Nonesuch 7559-79961-8 | CD + bonus CD |
| Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take) | 2007 | WEA Music/Nonesuch 7559-79974-5 | CD |
| Badou | 2007 | MPG 74075 | Compilation of mid-1980s songs |
| Egypt | 2004 | Nonesuch 7559-79694-2 | Int'l release of Senegalese album Sant |
| 7 Seconds: The Best Of Youssou N'Dour | 2004 | Legacy 508496-2 (Sony/Columbia) | Compilation |
| Nothing's in Vain (Coono du réér) | 2002 | Nonesuch 79654 | |
| Youssou N'Dour et ses Amis | 2001 | Editions Jade 198237-2 | Also feat. Boubacar Mendy, Ablaye Mbaye and Viviane |
| Birth of a Star: 11 Giant Dakar Hits | 2001 | Manteca MANTCD025 | Compilation 1980s recordings |
| Joko, from village to town | 2000 | Small Records | |
| The Best of the 80s | 1998 | Celluloid 67003-2 | |
| The Guide/Wommat | 1994 | Columbia 476508-2 | |
| Eyes Open | 1992 | 40 Acres and a Mule | |
| Set | 1990 | Virgin CDV2634 | |
| The Lion | 1989 | Virgin CDV2584 | |
| Nelson Mandela | 1985 | Magnetic/Pathé | CD / LP |
| Djamil/Inédits 84/85 | 1986 | Celluloid CEL 6809 | LP |
| Immigrés/Bitim Rew | 1985 | Celluloid CEL 6709 | LP |
| Senegalese releases: | |||
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Spécial fin d'année 2022 | 2022 | YN & TBI Publishing S.A. / Universal Music Africa | Digital EP |
| Respect | 2018 | Prince Arts | CD / digital download |
| Seeni Valeurs | 2017 | Youssou N'Dour / Jive Epic | CD / digital download |
| Senegaal Rekk | 2016 | Prince Arts | CD / digital download |
| Mballax Dafay Wax | 2011 | Prod. Youssou N'Dour | |
| Spécial fin d'année 2009 | 2010 | Xippi | |
| Bercy 2008 - le Grand Bal | 2008 | Jololi | |
| Alsaama Day | 2007 | Jololi | |
| Bercy 2005 | 2005 | Jololi | |
| Dolli Sant | 2005 | Jololi | Album Sant/Egypt + one new track |
| Bercy 2004 Vol. 2 | 2004 | Jololi | |
| Bercy 2004 | 2004 | Jololi | |
| Sant | 2003 | Jololi | |
| Le grand bal Paris-Bercy 2003 | 2003 | Jololi | |
| Céy You | 2003 | Jololi | |
| Le Grand Bal Bercy 2001 Vol. 2 | 2001 | Jololi YND CD009 | |
| Le Grand Bal Bercy 2001 Vol. 1 | 2001 | Jololi YND CD008 | |
| Ba Tay | 2001 | Jololi YND CD007 | |
| Rewmi | 1999 | Jololi | |
| St. Louis | 1997 | Jololi YND CD004 | |
| Lii ! | 1996 | Jololi | |
| Re-issues of Super Etoile de Dakar recordings: | |||
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Youssou N'Dour et le Super Etoile de Dakar - Vol.4 |
2003 | Touba/Mélodie 02554-2 | |
| Youssou N'Dour et le Super Etoile de Dakar - Vol.3 |
2003 | Touba/Mélodie 02553-2 | |
| Youssou N'Dour et le Super Etoile de Dakar - Vol.2 |
2002 | Touba/Mélodie 02552-2 | |
| Youssou N'Dour et le Super Etoile
de Dakar - Vol.1 |
2001 | Touba/Mélodie 02551-2 | 1982 recordings |
| Re-issues of Etoile de Dakar recordings: | |||
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| Once Upon A Time in Senegal - Birth of Mbalax 1979-81 |
2010 | Stern's STCD 3054-55 | 2CD |
| Rough Guide to Etoile de Dakar | 2002 | World Music Network RGNET1109CD | |
| Volume 4: Khaley Etoile | 1998 | Stern's STCD 3014 | 1981 & 1982 recordings |
| Volume 3: Lay Suma Lay | 1996 | Stern's STCD 3012 | |
| Volume 2: Thiapathioly | 1994 | Stern's STCD 3006 | 1980 recordings |
| Volume 1: Absa Gueye | 1993 | Stern's STCD 3004 | 1979 recordings |
Page added July 1998