Renowned Senegal singer Youssou N'Dour is set to return to the stage for a comeback, his entourage said on Friday, a month after a government reshuffle saw the icon lose his ministerial post.
The award-winning musician, known for his eclectic style, will perform a concert in Paris on October 12 which will be his "great return to the stage, the comeback of Youssou N'Dour the singer", said his spokesman Charles Faye.
N'Dour had been the country's tourism minister since April 2012 until he was unexpectedly left out of the cabinet assembled by new Prime Minister Aminata Toure in early September.
The hugely popular entertainer was instead appointed as an advisor to the president with the rank of minister, although his duties have yet to be specified.
In an interview with television station Africa24 last month, N'Dour said he now had more time to concentrate on his music -- a mix of traditional drumming with African-rooted Cuban sounds, American soul and rock.
African Renaissance Monument The 49-metre bronze statue is a representation of a man, woman and child emerging from a volcano is taller than the Statue of Liberty, stands on a hill overlooking the capital, Dakar. It marks Senegal's 50 years of Independence.
Things to do in Dakar
Senegal Soccer Football
Soccer... Senegal Football How about a game of soccer or football as the rest of the world calls it.Even if you are not a fan you will be before you leave you will be. It is organized chaos with blowing of horns, live bands ,and of course its Africa.. the drums. If that's not enough excitement for you wait until you see the cheerleaders.The football season begins in February, and Dakar's biggest team, plays at the 60,000-capacity all-seater Léopold Sédar Senghor national stadium
Market HLM -Shopping
Things to do Dakar
HLM Market
Marche' HLM, " HLM is pronounced " ash-el-em and stands for Habitations a Loyer Modere, Meaning affordable Rent Housing." Opened in 1976, this African fabric market has become one of the largest African markets in West Africa. In recent years, it has became a favorite destination for Senegales . They can find cloth at the best possible prices.You have your choice from hundreds of rolls of wax-dyed bazin (dyed fabrics beaten to a shine with wooden clubs), vibrant prints, embroidered cloth, lace and silk. You can get matching shoes, bags and jewelry at the same place.
Goree Island -House of Slaves
Thing to do in Dakar
Gorée is a small island 30 minutes from the city of Dakar, it was a minor port and site of European settlement along the coast. Gorée is known as the location of the House of Slaves.
House of Slaves
The House of Slaves and its Door of No Return is a museum and memorial to the Atlantic Slave Trade on tiny Goree Island, 3 km off the coast of the city of Dakar, Senegal.It is said to memorialize the final exit point of slaves from Africa. Historians differ on how many, if any African slaves were actually held in this building, as well as the relative importance of Goree Island as a point on the Atlantic Slave Trade,but visitors from Africa, Europe and the Americas, along with world leaders, continue to make it an important place to remember the human toll of African slavery.Don't forget to visit the Woman's Museum on the island.
Youssou N'Dour
Things to do in Dakar
Club Thiossane
Just north of Marché Sandaga it is the hottest club in West Africa. Owned by the legendary Youssou N'Dour, and when he's not touring the man himself performs here most Friday and Saturday nights. It is located at Sicap Street 10, just say the name(it's pronounced Cho-sahn ) every cab driver knows the way.
L'Institut Français
L'Institut Français Dakar
Things to do in Dakar
The French Institute Dakar, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2009, combines the functions and activities of the former French Cultural Centre and the former Alliance Franco-Senegalese Dakar (and St. Louis)
It is the place to study French, history, and culture of the peoples ruled by French colonialism in Africa ,You can relax in the gardens, stroll the art gallery,watch a French movie then dine at its famous restaurant.
Mosqué de la Divinité
Mosque de la Divinite
Things to do in Dakar
Mosque of the Divinity was built by Mohamed Gueye Gorgui Seyni.Driving north on the coastal road, you'll see the beautiful seaside Mosqué de la Divinité perched on the coast near Les Mamelles quartier. You may visit during the day and it is free.
Youssou N'Dour was born in Dakar to a Serer father. At the age of 12, he began to perform and within a few more years he was performing regularly with the Star Band, Dakar's most popular group during the early 1970s. Several members of the Star Band joined Orchestra Baobab about that time. Despite N’Dour's maternal connections to the traditional griot caste, he was not raised in that tradition, which he learned, instead, from his siblings. His parents' world view encouraged a modern outlook, leaving him open to two cultures and thereby inspiring Youssou's identity as a modern griot.In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Étoile de
Youssou N'Dour
Dakar. His early work with Étoile de Dakar was in the typical Latin style popular all over Africa during that time, but in the 1980s he developed a unique sound when he started his current group, Super Étoile de Dakar featuring Jimi Mbaye on guitar, bassist Habib Faye, and Tama (talking drum) player Assane Thiam. Despite N’Dour's maternal connections to the traditional griot caste, he was not raised in that tradition, which he learned, instead, from his siblings. His parents' world view encouraged a modern outlook, leaving him open to two cultures and thereby inspiring Youssou's identity as a modern griot.
Youssou N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. His mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban sambato hip hop, jazz and soul has won him an international fan base of millions. In the West, Youssou has collaborated with musicians Peter Gabriel, Axelle Red, Sting,Alan Stivell, Bran Van 3000,Neneh Cherry, Wyclef Jean,Paul Simon,Bruce Springsteen,Tracy Chapman,Branford Marsalis,Ryuichi Sakamoto,Didoand others.
Despite N’Dour's maternal connections to the traditional griot caste, he was not raised in that tradition, which he learned, instead, from his siblings. His parents' world view encouraged a modern outlook, leaving him open to two cultures and thereby inspiring Youssou's identity as a modern griot.
Youssou N'Dour
In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Étoile de Dakar. His early work with Étoile de Dakar was in the typical Latin style popular all over Africa during that time, but in the 1980s he developed a unique sound when he started his current group, Super Étoile de Dakar featuring Jimi Mbaye on guitar, bassist Habib Faye, and Tama (talking drum) player Assane Thiam. Despite N’Dour's maternal connections to the traditional griot caste, he was not raised in that tradition, which he learned, instead, from his siblings. His parents' world view encouraged a modern outlook, leaving him open to two cultures and thereby inspiring Youssou's identity as a modern griot.
Youssou N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. His mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban sambato hip hop, jazz and soul has won him an international fan base of millions. In the West, Youssou has collaborated with musicians Peter Gabriel, Axelle Red, Sting,Alan Stivell, Bran Van 3000,Neneh Cherry, Wyclef Jean,Paul Simon,Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Branford Marsalis, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Dido and others.
In Senegal, Youssou has become a powerful cultural icon and is actively involved in social issues.N'Dour's work absorbs the entire Senegalese musical spectrum, often filtered through the lens of genre-defying rock or pop music from outside Senegalese culture.
In July 1993, an African opera composed by N'Dour premiered at the Opéra Garnier for the French Festival Paris quartier d'été.He wrote and performed the official anthem of the 1998 FIFA World Cup with Axelle Red "La Cour des Grands"Youssou N'Dour was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 16 October 2000.
N'Dour's major asset is his strong cultural grounding. Even as he explores other cultures, his roots are well established. Some have gone so far as to describe him as the African Artist of the Century (Folk Roots magazine). He has toured internationally for thirty years. He won his first American Grammy Award (best contemporary world music album) for his CD Egypt in 2005.
By 1991 he had opened his own recording studio, Xippi, and, by 1995, his own record label, Jololi. In addition, he is the proprietor of L'Observateur, one of the widest-circulation newspapers in Senegal, the radio station RFM (Radio Future Medias) and the TV channel TFM. N'Dour has supported several social and political causes. In 1985, he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela. He was a featured performer in the 1988 worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour collaborating
Youssou N'Dour
with Lou Reed on a version of the Peter Gabriel song Biko which was produced by Richard James Burgess and featured on the Amnesty International benefit album The Secret Policeman's Third Ball. He has worked with the United Nations and [[UNICEF], and he started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa and to connect Senegalese communities around the world. He performed in three of theLive 8 concerts (in Live 8 concert, London, Live 8 concert, Paris and at the Live 8 concert, Eden Project in Cornwall) on 2 July 2005, with Dido
In 2006, N'Dour played the role of the African-British abolitionist Olaudah Equiano in the movie Amazing Grace, which chronicles the efforts of William Wilberforce to end slavery in the British Empire.[12]
He covered John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" for the 2007 CD Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. He appeared in a joint Spain-Senegal ad campaign against illegal immigrants. Youssou N'Dour participated in the Stock Exchange of Visions project in 2007. Since 2007 he has been a council member of the World Future Council.
In 2008, Youssou N'dour offered one of his compositions : Bébé, for the French singer Cynthia Brown.In 2009, he released his song "Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)" under a Creative Commons license to help IntraHealth International in their IntraHealth Open campaign to bring open source health applications to Africa. The song was remixed by a variety of artists including Nas, Peter Buck of R.E.M., and Duncan Sheik to help raise money for the campaign.In 2011, N'Dour was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Music from Yale University.
At the beginning of 2012, he announced his entrance into the race for the presidency of Senegal for the 2012 presidential election, competing against Abdoulaye Wade.
Albums
Bitim Rew (1984)
Nelson Mandela (1986)
Immigrés (1988)
The Lion (1989)
Set (1990)
Eyes Open (1992)
The Guide (Wommat) (1994)
Djamil (1996)
Inedits 84-85 (1997)
Special Fin D'annee Plus (1999)
Lii (2000)
Joko: From Village To Town (2000)
Joko: The Link (2000)
Rewmi (2000)
Le Grand Bal (2000)
St. Louis (2000)
Le Grand Bal a Bercy (2001)
Ba Tay (2002)
Nothing's In Vain (2002)
Youssou N'Dour and His Friends (2002)
Kirikou (2004)
Egypt (2004)
Alsaama Day (2007)
Rokku Mi Rokka (2007) — #30 in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums of 2007
Special Fin D'annee : Salegne-Salegne (2009)
Dakar - Kingston (2010)
Mbalakh Dafay Wakh (2011)
Compilation albums
The Best of Youssou N'Dour (1995)
Euleek Sibir with Omar (You et Pene) (1996)
Immigrés/Bitim Rew (1997)
Best of the 80's (1998)
Hey You: The Essential Collection 1988–1990 (1998)
Birth of a Star (2001)
Rough Guide to Youssou N'Dour & Etoile de Dakar (2002)
7 Seconds: The Best of Youssou N'Dour (Remastered) (2004)
Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur —
Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour said he will be a candidate in the country’s February presidential election, reports said Tuesday.’Dour, 52, had announced in November that he was retiring from music to concentrate on politics.He will challenge President Abdoulaye Wade in the February 26 polls.N’Dour, who has been called Africa’s most famous living singer by Rolling Stone magazine, had an international career with hits including the 1994 duet Seven Seconds with Neneh Cherry.
