YOUSSOU N’DOUR OPENS UP ABOUT WORKING WITH SAUTI SOL 

By Cheptoek Boyo | May 1, 2023

As his plane touched the tarmac at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya– one could immediately feel a thick air of expectation. You can sink your teeth inside of it. Youssou N’Dour is here to perform at Mo Ibrahim Foundation Concert. 

Many have described him as “the most famous singer alive” in Senegal and a better part of Africa. Others – and there are many – know him as the man who put his lucrative music career on ice to take up what he termed as a “supreme patriotic duty” to the people of Senegal; running for presidency in 2012.

At 63 years of age, Youssou N’Dour is doing just fine – and says he is not about to rest his instruments. The decorated musician spoke at a press conference at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. He spoke about the beauty of youth – and how cardinal a duty it is to empower the young voices – to continue telling the beautiful story of African music to a modern world.

It’s a story that started with the old sons and daughters of Africa – men blessed with rich musical abilities. “I remember back in the 1980s – when international pop artistes were more open to doing collaborations with African singers,” he says with an open tinge of nostalgia. “Our musicians had great connection with a lot of great artistes; the likes of Peter Gabriel, Sting, Paul Simon. Many other pop artistes were open to a gamut of music from different parts of the world.”

The press would hurriedly christen it the ‘World Music’ – but not for long. “When I played with Paul Simon. The music was very good, and the press gave it a name,” he said – inviting the 80s back to the present for a good few minutes. It’s a feeling that transports the audience back through the long hand of time – nearly four decades ago when he together with Papa Wemba and Salif Keita embarked on this beautiful journey.

They made it clear to every ear and mind that theirs was a ‘collaboration’ with the rest of the world – and not just music coming from ‘underdeveloped countries’ – as they had tried to portray it. “This is a collaboration between pop and African music. Also, we had great press representing Africans in this style of music.”

Twenty years later – and the press never talked about ‘World Music’ – but the names of Youssou N’Dour, Baaba Maal, Salif Keita, Papa Wemba and other sons and daughters of Africa have remained in people’s lips, minds and hearts. 

The ‘Seven Second’ hit-maker has lauded Afrobeat musicians for ‘touching’ the world – terming what’s happening in the African music terrain as great work. “The recent development in our music has diluted the initial belief that Africa is a jungle,” says the songwriter.

He believes that the beautiful tunes constantly being churned out by young voices from Nairobi, Dakar, Abidjan and Lagos are leaving an indelible mark. “Afrobeat has gained respect and has a lot of possibilities for growth because they sing in English. Then there is the proximity of Nigerians residing in the United States – and who are supporting and promoting this kind of music.”

According to the musician, this does mean that their music was more traditional, no. In fact, it’s a plus, “and a lot of albums happening now are between us and the young guys. This is an opportunity to strengthen our connection with the new generation”.

Indeed, Youssou N’Dour had a collaboration with Nigerian superstar Burna Boy. “Burna Boy was looking for me. It was quite a surprise. He tweeted it, and it was actually my son who noticed, and he came to me and told me, “there’s an artist called Burna Boy, he’s looking for you.” and that is how I ended up recording the introduction to his song and it was quite an interesting experience.”

He says he is committed to the development of Africa – and that’s why he ran for presidency in his country of birth. “Unfortunately, my run as president had the result that you all know. I had a lot of support from the people. In the end, I decided to side with the current President of Senegal, and we’re still working together to make things progress. At the end of the day, what I truly believe in is an Africa that is united.”

“I need to put my personal experience at the service of African youth and find a way to keep the continent stable, to always listen to its people and find a way to progress together,” says the man who is keen to help grow and build African music right from home. 

This is his third visit to Kenya – and just recently worked with Sauti Sol. “Kenya is one of the countries artistes like us would like to experience and live in. This is my third time coming to Kenya and it is very special. Coming with Mo Ibrahim foundation, it is important to share what the foundation is doing with young people so they can know exactly what we’re doing. Some months ago I did something with Sauti Sol, there was a great connection. I’m really excited.”

Youssou N’Dour spoke about his popular hit single Seven Seconds with Neneh Cherry. “My first show in Sweden was in a village. That’s where I met Cherry. She came to me at the end of the show and said she wanted to sing with me. I said yes.

She was not popular, but became quite popular later. Then we met at the Mandela show in London. She asked me again about the possibility of singing with her. I said of course. We met in New York and did the song without the record company because we really needed to do a song. When we presented the single to the record company, they said, “this is a hit.” 

The song talks about young people who grow up without knowing colour or culture. The two musicians thought the image is important for the world to see children together.

Youssou N’Dour launched his media house Television Futurs Medias (TFM) in 2010 and though he is not involved in the day to day activities of his station, the company has employed 600 people. “I do have a media house in Senegal. It happens to be the number one media house in Senegal. We deal with TV and Radio. But I’m not personally involved in the day to day activities. There are people that have proven how good they are in the world of media, people that I trust, and they are the ones in charge of handling all those little aspects. I am overseeing it.”

The celebrated singer has no plans to retire, “I’m particularly grateful I’m in an industry where there are no real ceilings when it comes to retirement. I have something that is quite exceptional, and that’s passion. And when you are passionate about whatever it is that you are doing, you will find ways to go above and beyond, so I’m grateful.” He said.

He is focussing on creating awareness among the young people in the continent – so that Africa progresses. “I believe right now, the youth in Africa need to be aware of all that they have at their disposal, all of the tools that they have in order to help the continent progress because it said, we have about 70 percent of the youth in Africa that is younger than 25 years old.

If these young people can understand and be aware of everything they have at their disposal and what they need to do, in order to make sure that Africa progresses then I would have achieved my mission,” he concluded.