November 20, 2007
Youssou N'Dour and the Super Etoile de Dakar
Posted at November 20, 2007 03:13 PM in Pop
, World Music
.
Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer who popularized mbalax, a blend of the country's traditional griot percussion and praise-singing with Afro-Cuban arrangements and flavors. The Super Etoile de Dakar is N'Dour's ensemble, first formed in 1979. Youssou is probably best known for his collaboration with western musicians like Peter Gabriel, Axelle Red, Sting, Alan Stivell, Bran Van 3000, Neneh Cherry, Wyclef Jean, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Branford Marsalis, Ryuichi Sakamoto and others. He also made his film debut last year in Amazing Grace.