El Hadj N’Diaye is a Senegalese songwriter, composer and performer who sings in Wolof and French. El Hadj N’Diaye is also responsible for the Art section of an international non governmental organization : ENDA (ENvironment, Development and Action). He ceaselessly fights, in his country, Senegal, to help the underprivileged. Refusing to compromise,
censored because of the commitment of his lyrics, he writes songs about poverty in Thiaroye, Dakar’s poorest district. El Hadj also denounces corruption and torture in Casamance (Senegal) and in Mali with the Tuareg.
The Senegalese musician is the son of a Dialo father from Casamance, in southern Senegal, and a mother from the northern river region of Matam. He used to earn a living as a cola nut vendor at the Thiaroye market. He studied Economics at Cheikh Anta Diop’s University, in Dakar, and was also an actor in two films by Ousmane Sembène, “Camp de Thiaroye” and “Guelwar” and for a young Senegalese filmmaker.
When one asks El Hadj how, between all his different activities and responsibilities he found the time to record in Paris he replies with a smile: It had to be done! The artist sees what the others cannot see anymore, too absorbed by their own daily problems, he must engage himself, to communicate to as many people as possible.
As a cry that comes straight from the heart, his voice is heard as a compromise between a force as the same time violent and calm. As the messages that he carries, it is the expression of an exigent sensitivity which leaves no place for concessions.
The songs are difficult to translate because he plays with the words of his native language, Wolof. His texts cover different topics: individual, social, politic… But they are all hymns to liberty thought and life.
Discography:
Thiaroye (Siggi Musique, 1998)
Xel (Siggi Musique, 2001)
Géej (Marabi Productions, 2008)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.