For him, music is a way of life, a way to picture what is around him, to deal with emotions and to convey a message to those who dare to listen. His style mixed the traditional and the contemporary, enabling him to reach a larger and more diverse audience.

Throughout this time, he was known for singing mainly in Wolof, the Senegalese national language. He addressed issues important to the survival of his audience such as the drought, the country's economic situation, apartheid, slavery and urban and international migration by people in search of a better life. He also sang about the beauty and power of Senegalese women and the importance of culture in forming social values and principles, not forgetting his enchanting tunes about love conquered and hearts broken.

He first joined the Star Band de Dakar, in Senegal. A few years later he left them and formed his new band, la Super Etoile de Dakar. Soon, the whole country was dancing to the rhythm of the Super Etoile and Youssou N’Dour’s name and talent were news.

Even more than his music, his personality and his vision captivated his fans. He set no limit on his potential. His concept of the global village pre-dated many of his contemporaries and when he started singing in French, Senegal’s official language, francophone Europe was won over. In the late 80's, his work with Sting and Peter Gabriel introduced the English-speaking world to his phenomenal vocal range. 

His involvement with the Amnesty International Tour brought him well-deserved credibility and exposure in a wider international arena. He toured the United States and Asia and signed to Virgin Records and the upcoming, young production company, Forty Acres and a Mule.

The Guide is his most successful record in global terms and in 1994, his single "7 seconds" was Europe's Song of the Year, selling close to 2 million copies. He was subsequently nominated in the World Music section of the prestigious Grammy Awards. He recently co-produced a project with Wyclef Jean, adding rap to his international style.

His rhythms are as varied as his language. N'Dour introduced international audiences to mbalax, a Senegalese blend of African, Caribbean and pop rhythms. His frequent releases never fail to add a new step to Senegal's extensive repertoire of dance styles. N'Dour’s music is a mixture of Cuban rhythms, jazz and soul flavors, all African in origin. His musicians, some of the most renowned in Africa, play traditional instruments such as the tama (talking drum) as well as imported European ones.

In 1993, he was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador and one of the ways in which he fulfils his role is by giving benefit concerts to help children with AIDS in Africa.

To his elders, who experienced colonization and its atrocities, Youssou N'Dour represents a breath of fresh air. He speaks out on issues that, because of the restrictions on free speech, they were prevented from tackling publicly.

To his contemporaries, Youssou N'Dour is not simply an entertainer attempting to distract the world from its problems. In their eyes, he is a well-informed leader who believes in the power of learning and in the importance of breaking down boundaries to achieve communication through music.

To the younger generation, he represents hope. They have watched him break down many barriers, giving them the determination to follow their dreams. He has taught the young people about their history, made them proud to be African.. He has warned them of the dangers of drugs and alcohol and, above all, convinced them that their roots will welcome them back if they lose their way. For them, tomorrow's generation, the simple, affectionate name Youssou, or plain You denotes respect, determination and perseverance. To support children in Senegal, Youssou N'Dour created the Youth Network for Development, also known as the Youssou N'Dour Foundation.

Unlike other African stars who live in Europe, he lives in Dakar (Senegal) and records out of his Studio Xippi so he can remain near his family.

Official Web Site: www.youssou.com

Nelson Mandela (Verve, 1986)

Immigr?s (Earthworks, 1988)

The Lion (Virgin 1989)

Set (Virgin, 1990)

Eyes Open (Columbia, 1992)

Guide (Wommat) (Chaos, 1994)

Gainde: Voices from the Heart of Africa, with Yande Codou Sene (World Network, 1996)

Inedits 84-85 (Celluloid, 1997)

Djamil, French compilation (Celluloid, 1999)

Joko (Columbia, 2000)

St. Louis (Jololi, 2000)

Le Grand Bal a Bercy, live (Jololi, 2001)

Rough Guide to Youssou N'Dour & Etoile de Dakar (World Music Network, RGNET1109CD, 2002)

Youssou N'Dour and his Friends (Milan Records, 2002)

Nothing's in Vain (Nonesuch, 2002)

Egypt (Nonesuch, 2004)

7 Seconds: The Best of Youssou N'Dour [original recording remastered] (Sony, 2004)

Essential Collection 1988-1990 (Nascente, 2006)

Badou (Mpg Movieplay Gold, 2006)

Rokku Mi Rokka (2007)

Africa Calling, DVD review