He hails from a long line of griots, revered storytellers to Senegalese nobility who pass on the oral tradition from one generation to the next. But Youssou N’Dour’s tales have gone past the borders of the Dark Continent. For when this Grammy winner sings his songs of Africa, the whole world listens.
At sound check, renowned African musician Youssou N’Dour stands between two audio monitors at the center of the stage of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre’s Concert Hall. He inclines his head in the direction of one speaker, perhaps discerning the balance of instruments and vocals.
The man is unassuming, simple, and unobtrusive. A few moments later, he crouches on the floor, pen in hand, jotting down notes on a piece of paper. Revising his line-up perhaps? Or simply making calculations to achieve the best audio levels? His brows furrowed over bespectacled eyes, he remains focused. All around him rage a cacophony of notes and rhythms from keyboards, electric guitars, talking drums, cymbals and other percussion instruments. Yet Youssou is quiet in his own world, hearing the distinct song inside his head even before anyone else can.
But when evening comes and the concert starts, Youssou becomes a different man. Gone are the eyeglasses that couched his vision. His eyes are clear and shining with creative energy. He has donned a traditional African caftan, and its golden sheen reflects his own electric being. Tonight, as in just about all of his performances, Youssou glows.
His voice thunders powerfully, like a resounding call to arms, summoning able-bodied men from villages far and near to join him in battle. And they come. Though tonight, the audience is a random mix of cultures and races, drawn to the Hong Kong Arts Festival by the sound of distant drumming, to flow as one with Youssou’s African sound.
Born in Dakar, Senegal in 1959, Youssou began his musical career at the age of 12. By his mid-teens, he was already singing with the Star Band, Senegal’s most successful musical group at that time. Then in 1979, Youssou established his own group, the Etoile de Dakar, which later became Super Etoile de Dakar in 1981.
Youssou’s musical style mixes traditional Senegalese mbalax (pop music of West Africa with polyrhythmic percussion and dramatic vocal harmonies, which he is credited to have popularized outside Africa) with diverse genres like Cuban samba, hip-hop, jazz, and soul. He remarks: “I think this diversity keeps me passionate with my music because I think one style, 20 years after, may be a little tired. But if you pursue many directions, you have this opportunity to make your music grow.”
Indeed, Youssou’s music has grown by leaps and bounds. Today, he is considered as “one of the most celebrated African musicians in history,” collaborating with international talents like Peter Gabriel, Sting, Neneh Cherry, Wyclef Jean, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and Branford Marsalis. A multi-awarded musician, he also won a Grammy for Egypt in the Best Contemporary World Music Album category in 2005.
But beyond the accolades and recognition of his peers, Youssou considers his popularity as a good vehicle by which to create awareness and support for various worthy causes.
He explains: “Yes, I am a man with a mission. I think that with my little experience, I can help and support a lot of African talent. Also, my music delivers messages to people.
For example, I talk about human rights issues, as well as concerns about children around the world. And I think that when musicians talk about serious things, they get more results faster than politicians.”
Youssou’s music is peppered with creating awareness for such issues. Consider one of his most popular songs “Seven Seconds,” which touches the raw nerve of racial discrimination with its lyrics: “… and when a child is born into this world, he has no concept of the tone of skin he’s living in, and there’s a million voices telling you what you should be thinking…”
His other humanitarian efforts include the 1985 concert he organized in Dakar’s Amitie Stadium for the liberation of Nelson Mandela. He also toured Europe in the late ‘80s in the Amnesty International Human Rights concerts. In 2005, he performed at three of the Live 8 concerts in London, Paris and the Eden Project in Cornwall.
But even as he travels the world singing the songs of Africa, Youssou is quick to assume his role as musical ambassador. He defines his homeland in “New Africa,” his last song on that night’s concert: “I am based in Africa, but when I go abroad, I try my best to bring its real image. Some people think that Africa is too difficult, too troubled. Yes, there is AIDS, there is war, there is poverty. But there is also a lot of happiness.”