Youssou N'Dour, recently described as 'Africa's Artist Of The Century,' brings his amazing fusion of pop and traditional African songs to Ireland. It coincides with the release of his latest album, Joko [From Village To Town], which boasts collaborations with some of the world's biggest music stars.
Youssou N'Dour is probably best known to local audiences for his global smash hit, 7 Seconds, recorded with Neneh Cherry. The song was destined to sell almost two million copies and be declared Europe's Song of the Year in 1994. The singer and multi-instrumentalist from Dakar, Senegal, has become one of the most admired African performers in the world and has found much deserved international fame, largely through his high profile links with an impressive list of Western pop and rock icons. He performed on Paul Simon's now legendary Gracelands album and has toured with Peter Gabriel, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and Tracy Chapman in support of Amnesty International. Youssou N'Dour's last album, The Guide, generated over one million sales, while his new offering includes collaborations with Sting, Peter Gabriel and Wyclef Jean from The Fugees. International soccer fans will be familiar with his voice - he sang the official 1998 World Cup anthem, La Cours Des Grands, with Axelle Red.
Youssou's musical repertoire is a true melting pot of musical styles, spanning the traditional sounds of his native Senegal's extensive dance styles, also Cuban rhythms, jazz and soul flavours, through to Western pop, dance and rap. His group, Super Etoile, contains some of Africa's most renowned musicians, who will delight their Irish audiences with a range of indigenous African and imported European percussion and stringed instrument.
