Mbalax is a west African music style that blends Wolof instrumentals, Cuban and Latin American pop music and Senegalese sabar drumming. Decades before he was Senegal’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Youssou N’Dour was performing in clubs as a teenager. He joined Star Band de Dakar in 1976, and in 1977 formed Étoile de Dakar, bringing mbalax to the rest of the world over the next several years. Today on African Perspectives, we review N’Dour’s contribution to mbalax and introducing the music style to the rest of the world. We also share brief news updates about the Ethiopian refugee crisis, as well as the UNHCR, UNICEF, the Kenya Red Cross Society, and other organizations’ efforts to coordinate a response.
TRACKLIST:
1) “Soul Makossa” by Manu Dibango, from Soul Makossa
2) “Kambengwo” by Sona Jobarteh featuring Youssou N’Dour, from Badinyaa Kumoo
3) “Set” by Youssou N’Dour, from Set
4) “Bamba the Poet” by Youssou N’Dour, from Egypt
5) “Immigrés” by Youssou N’Dour, from Immigrés
6) “Mane Khouma Khol Thi Yao” by Étoile de Dakar featuring Youssou N’Dour & El Hadji Faye, from Volume 1 - Absa Gueye
7) “Touba - Daru Salaam” by Youssou N’Dour, from Egypt
8) “Alboury” by Étoile de Dakar, from Volume 4 - Khaley Etoile