Youssou N'Dour facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Youssou N'Dour
N'Dour in Warsaw in 2009
Minister of Tourism of Senegal
In office 5 April 2012 – September 2013
Prime Minister	Abdoul Mbaye
Preceded by	Thierno Lo
Personal details
Born	(1959-10-01) 1 October 1959 (age 65) Dakar, Mali Federation
Musical career
Also known as	Youssou Madjiguène Ndour
Genres	Mbalax Afro-pop desert blues Senegalese West African world worldbeat
Occupation(s)	Singer percussionist
Years active	1970s–present
Labels	Prince Arts Columbia Chaos Real World Nonesuch

Youssou N'Dour (born 1 October 1959) is a famous singer, songwriter, and musician from Senegal. He is also a businessman and has been involved in politics. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine called him "perhaps the most famous singer alive" in Senegal and much of Africa. In 2023, the same magazine placed him at number 69 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. From April 2012 to September 2013, he served as Senegal's Minister of Tourism.

N'Dour helped create a popular Senegalese music style called mbalax. This music has roots in traditional Serer music and ceremonies. He is also featured in two award-winning films: Return to Gorée (2007) and Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008). In 2006, N'Dour acted in the movie Amazing Grace, playing the role of Olaudah Equiano.

Early Life and Background

N'Dour at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

Youssou N'Dour was born in Dakar, Senegal. His father was from the Serer people, and his mother was from the Toucouleur people. However, he grew up in the Wolof culture. He began performing when he was just 12 years old. Later, he regularly performed with the Star Band, which was Dakar's most popular music group in the 1970s.

Even though his mother's family had a connection to the traditional griot caste (storytellers and musicians), Youssou N'Dour learned this tradition from his sibling. His parents encouraged him to have a modern view, which helped him combine different cultures. This made him a "modern griot." As a Muslim follower of the Mouride brotherhood, he often included Islamic music and chants in his songs.

Music Career Highlights

When Youssou N'Dour was 15, he joined a band called Diamono. In 1975, he toured with them in West Africa. In 1976, at 16, he signed a contract to sing with Ibra Kasse's Star Band at the Miami club in Dakar. He quickly became very popular there.

In 1978, several members of the Star Band left to form Étoile de Dakar. This new band was important in creating Senegal's new music style, mbalax. Mbalax mixes traditional Senegalese music with Latin styles that were popular at the time. Étoile de Dakar became very popular but soon split into two groups: Étoile 2000 and Super Étoile de Dakar. Youssou N'Dour joined Super Étoile de Dakar. This group eventually became his main backing band.

By 1991, he had opened his own recording studio. By 1995, he started his own record label, Jololi.

International Success

Youssou N'Dour is one of the most famous African musicians ever. His music combines traditional Senegalese mbalax with sounds from Cuban rumba, hip hop, jazz, and soul. This unique mix has earned him millions of fans worldwide.

He has worked with many famous Western artists, including Peter Gabriel, Sting, Neneh Cherry, Paul Simon, and Dido. The New York Times described his voice as a "powerful tenor." His music often blends Senegalese sounds with rock or pop music from other cultures.

In 1994, N'Dour released his biggest international hit song, "7 Seconds". This was a duet sung with Neneh Cherry and was sung in three languages. He also wrote and performed the official song for the 1998 FIFA World Cup with Axelle Red, called "La Cour des Grands (Do You Mind If I Play)".

Folk Roots magazine called him the African Artist of the Century. He toured around the world for thirty years. In 2005, he won his first American Grammy Award for his CD Egypt.

Other Ventures and Recognition

Youssou N'Dour owns L'Observateur, one of Senegal's most widely read newspapers. He also owns a radio station, RFM, and a TV channel, TFM.

In 2002, he received a Prince Claus Award for his work in promoting different cultures through music. In 2006, he played the role of Olaudah Equiano, an African-British person who fought to end slavery, in the movie Amazing Grace.

In 2011, Yale University gave N'Dour an honorary degree in music. In 2013, he won a share of Sweden's $150,000 Polar Music Prize. This award recognized his music and his efforts to promote understanding between different faiths.

Activism and Social Impact

Youssou N'Dour was named a Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2000.

In Senegal, N'Dour is a strong cultural figure who is very involved in social issues. In 1985, he organized a concert to support the release of Nelson Mandela. He also performed in the 1988 Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. He worked with the United Nations and UNICEF. He also started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa and connect Senegalese communities worldwide.

In 2003, N'Dour canceled an American tour to show he did not support the American invasion of Iraq. He believed the United Nations should handle disarming Iraq. He felt performing in the US at that time would be seen as supporting the war.

He performed in three of the Live 8 concerts in 2005, including London and Paris, with Dido. He also sang "Jealous Guy" for a 2007 album supporting Amnesty International. N'Dour took part in a campaign to warn Africans about the dangers of illegal immigration.

In 2008, he joined the Fondation Chirac's honor committee. The same year, his microfinance organization, Birima, was launched with help from United Colors of Benetton. In 2009, he released his song "Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)" under a special license to help a campaign bringing open-source health apps to Africa.

N'Dour supports the idea of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly. He is also a member of Artists Against Racism, a Canadian charity.

Political Career

In early 2012, Youssou N'Dour announced he wanted to run for president in the 2012 Senegalese presidential election. He was going to run against the current President, Abdoulaye Wade. However, he was not allowed to run because of issues with the signatures he collected to support his campaign.

N'Dour then supported the opposition candidate, Macky Sall, who won the election in March 2012. In April 2012, N'Dour was appointed as the Minister of Culture and Tourism in the new government. Later, his role changed, and he became the Minister of Tourism and Leisure. He left this position in September 2013 when a new government was formed. After that, N'Dour became a Special Adviser to the President, with the same rank as a minister. His job was to promote Senegal around the world.

Awards and Recognitions

Youssou N'Dour has received many awards for his music and his work.

Discography

N'Dour at the 2010 Festival de Cornouaille in France.

Youssou N'Dour has released many albums and singles throughout his career.

Albums

• Immigrés (1984)
• The Lion (1989)
• Set (1990)
• Eyes Open (1992)
• The Guide (Wommat) (1994)
• Joko: The Link (2000)
• Nothing's in Vain (Coono Du Réér) (2002)
• Egypt (2004)
• Rokku Mi Rokka (2007)
• I Bring What I Love (2008) – film soundtrack
• Dakar – Kingston (2010)
• Fatteliku (2014)
• Africa Rekk (2016)
• Respect (2018)
• History (2019)
• Mbalax (2021)

Collaborations

Youssou N'Dour has worked with many artists on their albums and songs:

• 1986: So by Peter Gabriel – backing vocals on "In Your Eyes".
• 1989: Passion by Peter Gabriel – backing vocals on "A Different Drum", "Passion".
• 1990: Shaking the Tree: Sixteen Golden Greats by Peter Gabriel – "Mercy Street" and "Shaking the Tree".
• 2000: Album Solidays – song "Qui sait?" for the association Solidarité sida, with many artists.
• 2005: Live 8: One Day, One Concert, One World DVD – N'Dour sings "7 Seconds" with Dido.
• 2006: An Other Cup by Yusuf – backing vocals on "The Beloved".
• 2007: Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign To Save Darfur – N'Dour sings "Jealous Guy".
• 2020: Twice as Tall by Burna Boy – on track 4.

Singles

• "7 Seconds" (1994) – with Neneh Cherry
• "La Cour Des Grands (A Ton Tour De Jouer)" (1998) – with Axelle Red (official hymn of 1998 FIFA World Cup)
• "#Senegaal rekk" (2016) – with Le Super Etoile

Films

• Amazing Grace (2006)
  • He played Olaudah Equiano, a key figure in the movement to end slavery in Great Britain. Equiano wrote about his life as a slave and his work against slavery.
  • He also contributed music to the film's soundtrack.
• Retour à Gorée (2007)
  • He appears as himself, traveling from Gorée Island to the USA and back. The film explores the origins of jazz music, which are linked to the history of the slave trade in Africa. It features a concert with many international artists.
• Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008)
  • This film follows him during the recording of his Egypt album and the impact it had.

See also

In Spanish: Youssou N'Dour para niños