Youssou N'Dour
Senegalese politician and musician (born 1959) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Youssou N'Dour (French: [jusu (ɛ)nduʁ], Wolof: Yuusu Nduur; also known as Youssou Madjiguène Ndour;[1] born 1 October 1959) is a Senegalese singer, songwriter, musician, composer, occasional actor, businessman, and politician. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, "perhaps the most famous singer alive" in Senegal and much of Africa[2] and in 2023, the same publication ranked him at number 69 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.[3] From April 2012 to September 2013, he was Senegal's Minister of Tourism.
Youssou N'Dour | |
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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 64) Dakar, Mali Federation |
Musical career | |
Birth name | Youssou N'Dour |
Also known as | Youssou Ndour |
Born | (1959-10-01) 1 October 1959 (age 64) |
Origin | Dakar, Senegal |
Genres | Mbalax, world |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 1970s–present |
Labels |
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N'Dour helped develop a style of popular Senegalese music known by all Senegambians (including the Wolof) as mbalax, a genre that has sacred origins in the Serer[4][5] music njuup tradition and ndut initiation ceremonies.[4][5] He is the subject of the award-winning films Return to Gorée (2007) directed by Pierre-Yves Borgeaud and Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008) directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, which were released around the world.
In 2006, N'Dour was cast as Olaudah Equiano in the film Amazing Grace.[6]