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Youssou N'Dour
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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. It was with this band that Youssou gained international recognition through the album Immigrés. Especially after the support from Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel, later albums sold increasingly well. Youssou N'Dour adapted his music on CDs to Western listeners, but he never forgot his roots. He still lives in Dakar, where he established a recording studio (Xippi) and a record company (Jololi).

Now, he is seen as the most prolific and respected African artist, who is able to be and remain successful both in Africa as on the international level. 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.
Born: October 1, 1959, in Dakar
Style: Mbalax

Discography:

Title Year Label Remarks
International releases:
Rokku Mi Rokka (Give and Take) 2007 WEA Music/Nonesuch 266044-2
Badou 2005 MPG 74075 Compilation of mid-1980s songs
Egypte 2004 WEA Music/Nonesuch 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 N'Dour
Birth of a Star: 11 Giant Dakar Hits 2001 Manteca MANTCD025 1980s recordings
Joko, from village to town 2000 Small Records album cover 'Yoko'
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
Djamil/Inédits 84/85 1986 Celluloid CEL 6809 LP
Immigrés/Bitim Rew 1985 Celluloid CEL 6709 LP
Senegalese releases:
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 YNDSANT 001
Le grand bal Paris-Bercy 2003 2003 Jololi YND GB03 CD
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 YND CD003
St. Louis 1997 Jololi YND CD004
Lii ! 1996 Jololi
Re-issues of Super Etoile de Dakar recordings:
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:
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



External links:
Mike Cohen's Youssou Ndour page
Toshiya Endo's African music discography for a comprehensive list (incl. local cassette productions).

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