Youssou N'Dour Overview

Innovator of the Senegalese popular music form Mbalax (pronounced UMM-BAL-LAAKH). The genre blends the Griot tradition of West Africa (praise singers and historians associated with royalty), Afro-Caribbean music, and African-American popular music. N'Dour began performing at the age of 12. He... [more]

Innovator of the Senegalese popular music form Mbalax (pronounced UMM-BAL-LAAKH). The genre blends the Griot tradition of West Africa (praise singers and historians associated with royalty), Afro-Caribbean music, and African-American popular music. N'Dour began performing at the age of 12. He has since become one of the most internationally-known African musicians. His albums include Immigrés (1988), which launched him into international fame, and Egypt (2004), for which he won a Grammy Award. [show less]