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
Birth name	Youssou N'Dour
Also known as	Youssou Ndour
Born	(1959-10-01) 1 October 1959 (age 65)
Origin	Dakar, Senegal
Genres	Mbalax, world
Occupation(s)	Singer percussionist
Years active	1970s–present
Labels	Prince Arts Columbia Chaos Real World Nonesuch
Associated acts	Star Band, Étoile de Dakar, Super Diamono

Youssou N'Dour (born October 1, 1959) is a famous singer, songwriter, and musician from Senegal, a country in West Africa. He is also a businessman and has been involved in politics.

Rolling Stone magazine called him "perhaps the most famous singer alive" in Senegal and much of Africa. In 2023, the same magazine listed him as one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. From 2012 to 2013, he even served as Senegal's Minister of Tourism.

N'Dour helped create a popular style of Senegalese music called mbalax. This music style has roots in traditional African ceremonies. He has also been featured in award-winning films like Return to Gorée (2007) and Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008). In 2006, he 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, the capital city of Senegal. His father was from the Serer people, and his mother was from the Toucouleur people. However, he grew up mostly following the traditions of the Wolof people.

He started performing when he was just 12 years old. Later, he regularly sang 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, Youssou N'Dour was not raised in that way. Griots are like storytellers, musicians, and historians in West African culture. He learned about this tradition from his sibling. His parents encouraged him to have a modern view, which helped him become a "modern griot" who blends old and new. As a Muslim who follows the Mouride brotherhood, he often includes 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 age 16, he signed a contract to sing with Ibra Kasse's Star Band at a club in Dakar. He quickly became very popular there.

In 1978, some members of the Star Band left to form Étoile de Dakar. This new band helped create Senegal's unique music style called mbalax. Mbalax mixes traditional Senegalese music with Latin styles that were popular at the time. The group became very popular, but they soon split into two bands: Étoile 2000 and Super Étoile de Dakar. Youssou N'Dour joined Super Étoile de Dakar, which later became his main backing band.

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

Youssou N'Dour is known as one of the most celebrated African musicians. His music blends traditional Senegalese mbalax with sounds from Cuban rumba, hip hop, jazz, and soul. This unique mix has gained 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 newspaper described his voice as "arresting" and powerful. N'Dour's music often combines all kinds of Senegalese sounds with rock or pop music from other cultures.

In 1993, his "Africa Opera" show was performed at the famous Opéra Garnier in France. In 1994, he released his biggest international hit song, "7 Seconds", which was a duet with Neneh Cherry. This song was sung in three languages!

He also wrote and performed the official song for the 1998 FIFA World Cup with Axelle Red. Folk Roots magazine called him the "African Artist of the Century." He has toured around the world for thirty years. In 2005, he won his first American Grammy Award for his CD Egypt.

Beyond music, Youssou N'Dour owns L'Observateur, a widely read newspaper in Senegal. He also owns a radio station called RFM and a TV channel called TFM. In 2011, he received an honorary degree in music from Yale University. In 2013, he won the $150,000 Polar Music Prize in Sweden. This award recognized his music and his efforts to promote understanding between different religions.

Activism and Social Work

N'Dour is not just a musician; he is also very active in social issues. In 2000, he became a FAO Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

In Senegal, he is a strong cultural leader. In 1985, he organized a concert to support the release of Nelson Mandela, who was a political prisoner in South Africa. He also performed in the 1988 Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. He worked with the United Nations and UNICEF to help children. He also started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa. This project aimed to connect Senegalese communities around the world.

In 2003, N'Dour canceled a tour in America because he did not support the American invasion of Iraq. He believed that the United Nations should handle the situation. He felt that performing in the US at that time might seem like he supported the war.

He performed in three of the Live 8 concerts in 2005, which aimed to raise awareness about poverty. He also sang John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" for an album that supported Amnesty International's campaign to help Darfur. N'Dour also took part in a campaign to warn Africans about the dangers of illegal immigration.

In 2008, he helped launch Birima, a microfinance organization. This organization helps people get small loans to start businesses. In 2009, he released a song called "Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)" under a Creative Commons license. This song helped raise money for a campaign to bring open-source health applications to Africa. He also supports the idea of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly and is a member of Artists Against Racism.

Political Career

In early 2012, Youssou N'Dour announced that 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 had collected to support his campaign.

After this, N'Dour supported another candidate, Macky Sall. Macky Sall 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 job changed, and he became the Minister of Tourism and Leisure. In September 2013, he was dismissed from that role. However, he was then appointed as a Special Adviser to the President. In this new role, he helps promote Senegal to other countries.

Awards and Nominations

Discography

N'Dour at the 2010 Festival de Cornouaille at Quimper, France.

Early Cassettes

This series of cassettes was released in Senegal between 1982 and 1988. They were credited to Youssou N'Dour & Le Super Etoile de Dakar.

• Vol 1 Tabaski
• Vol 2 Ndakarou
• Vol 3 Independence
• Vol 4 Banjoly N'Diaye
• Vol 5 Yarou
• Vol 6 Marguedy
• Vol 7 Daby
• Vol 8 Immigres
• Vol 9 Africa
• Vol 10 Ndobine
• Vol 11 Bekoor
• Vol 12 Jamm
• Vol 13 Kocc Barma
• Vol 14 Gainde

Albums

• Ndiadiane Ndiaye (1982)
• Mouride (1982)
• Independance Vol. 3 (1982)
• Show!!! A Abidjan (1983)
• Immigrés (1984)
• Djamil Inédits 84-85 (1985)
• Nelson Mandela (1985)
• The Lion (1989)
• Set (1990)
• Eyes Open (1992)
• The Guide (Wommat) (1994)
• Gainde – Voices from the Heart of Africa (1995)
• Djamil (1996) – anthology
• Lii (1996)
• St. Louis (1997)
• Special Fin D'annee Plus (1998)
• Le Grand Bal a Évry (1999)
• Rewmi (1999)
• Joko: From Village to Town (2000)
• Joko: The Link (2000)
• Le Grand Bal (2000)
• Ba Tay (2001)
• Le Grand Bal a Bercy (2001)
• Nothing's in Vain (Coono Du Réér) (2002)
• Kirikou Et La Sorciere (2004)
• Egypt (2004)
• Jigeen Gni (2005) – single
• Alsaama Day (2007)
• Rokku Mi Rokka (2007) – No. 30 in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums of 2007.
• I Bring What I Love (2008) – film soundtrack
• Special Fin D'annee: Salagne-Salagne (2009)
• Dakar – Kingston (2010)
• Mbalakh Dafay Wakh (2011)
• Fatteliku (2014)
• #Senegaal Rek (2016)
• Africa Rekk (2016)
• Seeni Valeurs (2017)
• Respect (2018)
• History (2019)
• Mbalax (2021)

Compilation Albums

• Diongoma (1983)
• Special Noël (1993)
• The Best Of Youssou N'Dour (1995)
• Euleuk Sibir with Omar Pene (You et Pene) (1996)
• Immigrés/Bitim Rew (1997)
• Inedits 84–85 (1997)
• Best of the 80's (1998)
• Hey You: The Essential Collection 1988–1990 (1998)
• Birth Of A Star (2001)
• Youssou N'Dour and His Friends (2002)
• The Rough Guide To Youssou N'Dour & Etoile de Dakar (2002)
• Céy You (2003)
• Le Grand Bal: Paris-Bercy (2003)
• 4.4.44 (2004)
• Bercy 2004 vol. 1 & 2 (2004)
• Bercy 2005 (2005)
• 7 Seconds: The Best Of Youssou N'Dour (Remastered) (2004)
• Le Grand Bal: Bercy 2008 (2008)
• From Senegal to the world (2012)
• Le Grand Bal: Bercy 2013 (2013)
• Africa Rekk (Réédition) (2017)
• Raxas Bercy 2017 (2017)
• Le Grand Show (2019)

Collaborations

• 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".
• 1990: Le mani e l'anima by Italian singer Claudio Baglioni – "Oltre" album.
• 2000: Album Solidays – song "Qui sait?" for the association Solidarité sida, with Anggun, Patrick Bruel, Stephan Eicher, Faudel, Peter Gabriel, Lââm, Lokua Kanza, Nourith, Axelle Red & Zucchero.
• 2003: Hit by Peter Gabriel – backing vocals on "In Your Eyes".
• 2005: Live 8: One Day, One Concert, One World DVD – N'Dour sings "7 Seconds" with Dido.
• 2005: Live 8 Paris DVD – N'Dour sings at the end of the concert "New Africa/Lima Weesu".
• 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".
• 2008: Bord Ezanga Kombo by Koffi Olomide – N'Dour on "Festival".
• 2009: Les Amis Du Monde with the Lebanese diva Majida El Roumi for the Francophone Games Opening 2009 in Beirut.
• 2020: Twice as Tall by Burna Boy – on track 4
• 2020: L'Ours with Christophe Maé

Singles

Films Featuring Youssou N'Dour

Amazing Grace (2006)

• In this movie, Youssou N'Dour played Olaudah Equiano. Equiano was an important person in the movement to end slavery in Great Britain. He wrote a book about his life as a slave and his work against slavery.
• N'Dour also contributed music to the film's soundtrack.

Retour à Gorée (2007)

• In this film, N'Dour travels from Gorée Island in Senegal to the USA and back. He explores how jazz music started, tracing its roots back to the time of the slave trade in Africa. The film ends with a concert featuring many international artists.

Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008)

• This film follows N'Dour as he records his Egypt album and shows the impact it had.
• The film was released on DVD in the US by Oscilloscope Laboratories.

See also

In Spanish: Youssou N'Dour para niños