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Mbalax (or Mbalakh) is the national popular dance music of Senegal and The Gambia. Mbalax is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal. The genre's name derived from the heavy use of accompanying rhythms used in sabar called mbalax.

History and Influence[link]

Mbalax, a type of music that trace most of its technique from the conservative Serer music tradition of Njuup (the progenitor of Mbalax),^[1] developed in Senegal in the early 1970s. Like many other francophone West African countries the Senegalese popular music scene was influenced by soul, blues, jazz, R&B, and rock from the United States, varieté from France, Congolese rumba, and Latin pop from the Caribbean and New York (e.g.,pachanga, son, charanga, salsa, and Latin jazz)^{[citation needed]}. In this mix of African diasporic sounds Senegalese fans and musicians wanted their own urban popular dance music so they began singing in Wolof (Senegal's lingua franca) instead of French, and incorporated rhythms of the indigenous sabar drum (see Mangin^[2]). Dancers began using moves associated with the sabar, and tipping the singers as if they were traditional griots.

Among the bands that played this new style, Etoile de Dakar (starring Youssou N'Dour and El Hadji Faye), and Raam Daan (starring Thione Seck), Xalam II, and Super Diamono. Since becoming popular, both Mbalax and its associated dance have spread to other region such as Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and France. This dissemination has come about through radio, audio cassettes and televised video clips.

Mbalax instrumentation includes keyboards, synths and other electronic production methods. However, its the Nder,(lead drum,) the Sabar, (rhythm drum), and the Tama (talking drum) percussion, and widely influenced African and Arabic vocalistic stylings that continue to make Mbalax one of the most distinctive forms of dance music in west Africa and the diaspora. Jazz, Funk, Latin (especially Cuban) and Congolese pop music influenced the early sounds of Mbalax, today it is also influenced by RnB, Hip-Hop, Coupé-Décalé, Zouk and other modern Caribbean, Latin, and African pop musics. Mbalax artists frequently collaborate with artists from other genres, such as Viviane Ndour's work with Zouk star Philip Montiero and French/Malian rap star Mokobe. Perhaps the most well known collaboration of all was Youssou Ndour's huge hit with Neneh Cherry; 'Seven Seconds'.

Mbalax Dance[link]

Mbalax Dancing is popular in nightclubs and social gatherings as well as religious and life cycle events such as: weddings, birthdays, and naming ceremonies.

New Mbalax dance movements are constantly emerging, this often occurs with the increasing popularity of a particular song. Patricia Tang describes some of the new movements:

"Examples of such dances are the ventilateur ('electric fan', which describes the motion of the buttocks swirling suggestively); xaj bi ('the dog', in which a dancer lifts his/her leg in imitation of a dog); moulaye chigin (which involves pelvic and knee movements that perfectly match the sabar breaks); and more recently, the jelkati (a dance in which the upper arms, bent at the elbows, move in parallel motion from left to right). Interestingly all of these dance crazes are closely tied to sabar breaks, and some (such as tawran tej) are even named for the vocal mnemonics of the sabar rhythm they accompany."^[3]

Music and Instrumentation[link]

A talking-drum player with Youssou N'Dour

Senegalese songs are usually unwritten, and certain instruments or musical styles are reserved for specific genders or age groups. In the past, only griots could perform music. Their traditional role was transmitting oral history, genealogies and social rankings, diplomacy, and storytelling. Today, griots continue to participate in naming ceremonies, weddings, and funerals.

Music is performed using instruments such as drums, balafon, riti, Tama (talking drum), sabar drum. In the 1970s Western instruments and equipment such as the flute, electric guitar, piano, violin, trumpet and synthesizer have been incorporated into the music, to accompany the dance. In addition to the instrumentation, humming, chanting and singing (in either Wolof, French or English) are used to accompany the music that the dance is done to. The lyrics of mbalax songs address social, religious, familial, or moral issues.

According to author Patricia Tang:

"The rhythmic foundation and primary identifiable feature of modern mbalax is the sabar…in Wolof gewel percussionist parlance, mbalax literally means 'accompaniment'. Within a sabar ensemble, different drums play different roles, and mbalax refers to the accompaniment parts played by the mbeng-mbeng. However, the mbalax part varies rhythmically from one dance to another.^[4]

Artists[link]

• Youssou N'Dour
• Thione Seck
• Omar Pène et Super Diamono
• Alioune Mbaye Nder
• Viviane N'Dour
• Coumba Gawlo
• Fatou Guewël
• Fatou Laobé
• Kiné Lam Mame Bamba

References[link]

External links[link]

• (French) Ferloo

v t e Serer topics History Timeline of Serer history Serer ancient history Serer history (medieval era to present) Senegambian stone circles Cekeen Tumulus Kingdom of Sine kingdom of Saloum Kingdom of Baol Kingdom of Biffeche States headed by ancient Serer Lamanes The Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune The Battle of Logandème People Serer people Ndut people Noon people Saafi people Niominka people Palor people Laalaa people Religion Serer religion Serer creation myth Roog (Serer deity) Koox Pangool Saltigue The legend of Jambooñ and Agaire Religion in Senegal Religion in the Gambia Junjung (sacred musical instrument) Sacred places Kingdom of Sine Tukar Fatick Senegambian stone circles Cekeen Tumulus The Point of Sangomar Sacred text Raampa Education Ndut Philosophy Jom Geography Serer countries Demographics Demographics of Senegal Demographics of the Gambia Demographics of Mauritania Culture and language Tassu (conservative and religious music) Njuup (conservative and religious music) Senegalese wrestling Mbalax (popular music) Sabar (music instrument) Tama (musical instrument, sacred through the Ndut-Woong) Serer language Cangin languages Ndut language Safen language Lehar language Palor language Kings Lamane Jegan Joof Ama Gôdô Maat Ma N'Dambao Lel Maad Ndaah Njemeh Joof Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali Jaxateh Manneh Bourba Jolof Ndiadiane Ndiaye Maad a Sinig Waagaan Tenin Jom Faye Maad Patar Kholleh Joof Maad a Sinig Niokhobaye Mane Nyan Joof Maad a Sinig Guejopal Mane Nyan Joof Maad Saloum Mbegan Ndour Maad Saloum Malaotan Joof Maad Semou Njekeh Joof Laasuk Fanaan Faye Waagaan Kumbasaanjaan Faye Maad a Sinig Boukar Tjilas Sanghaie Diouf Maad a Sinig Ama Joof Gnilane Faye Joof Maad a Sinig Mbackeh Kodu Njie Maad Saloum Balleh Njugou Ndaw Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof Coronation of Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof Maad Saloum Bala Adam Njie Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Fa Ndeb Joof Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof Maad Saloum Fode N'Gouye Joof Mama Tamba Jammeh Queens and queen mothers Lingeer N'Dambao Lel Lingeer Fatim Beye Lingeer Ndoye Demba Lingeer Yandeh Mbouna Faye Lingeer Ngoneh Jaay Lingeer Selbeh Ndoffene Joof Lingeer Gnilane Jogoye Joof Dynasties and royal houses Joof family Wagadou (Princesses from the Ghana Empire who married into the old Serer royal families) Faye family The Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof The Royal House of Jogo Siga Joof The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof Guelowar Joos Maternal Dynasty (of Waalo) Guedj Maternal Dynasty (of Cayor and Baol, founded by Lingeer Ngoneh Jaay of Saloum) Royal titles Lamane (Also connected to Serer religion through the Pangool) Maad a Sinig Maad Saloum Teigne Buumi Thilas Loul Lingeer Law Serer customary law Serer Categories Serer portal

Youssou N'Dour
N'Dour in Warsaw on 13 September 2009
Minister of Tourism and Culture of Senegal
Incumbent
Assumed office April 4, 2012
President	Macky Sall
Prime Minister	Abdoul Mbaye
Preceded by	Thierno Lo
Personal details
Born	(1959-10-01) 1 October 1959 (age 52) Dakar, Senegal

Youssou N'Dour (French pronunciation: [jusu nˈduʁ]; born 1 October 1959) is a Senegalese singer, percussionist, songwriter, composer, occasional actor and businessman. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, "perhaps the most famous singer alive" in Senegal and much of Africa.^[1] Since April 2012, he has been Senegal's Minister of Tourism and Culture.

N'Dour helped to develop a style of popular Senegalese music known in the Serer language as mbalax, which traces from the conservative Serer music tradition of "Njuup" (the progenitor of Mbalax).^[2] He is the subject of the award-winning films Return to Goree directed by Pierre-Yves Borgeaud and Youssou N'Dour: I Bring What I Love directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, which were released around the world.

Life[link]

N'Dour at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

N'Dour was born in Dakar to a Serer father. At age 12, he began to perform and within a few years was performing regularly with the Star Band, Dakar's most popular group during the early 1970s. Several members of the Star Band joined Orchestra Baobab about that time.

Despite N’Dour's maternal connection to the traditional griot caste, he was not raised in that tradition, which he learned instead from his siblings. His parents' world view encouraged a modern outlook, leaving him open to two cultures and thereby inspiring N'Dour's identity as a modern griot.

Career[link]

In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Étoile de Dakar. His early work with the group was in the Latin style popular all over Africa during that time. In the 1980s he developed a unique sound with his ultimate group, Super Étoile de Dakar featuring Jimi Mbaye on guitar, bassist Habib Faye, and Tama (talking drum) player Assane Thiam.

By 1991 he had opened his own recording studio, Xippi, and, by 1995, his own record label, Jololi.

N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history. His mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban rumba to hip hop, jazz and soul won him an international fan base of millions. In the West, N'Dour collaborated with Peter Gabriel,^[3] Axelle Red,^[4] Sting,^[5] Alan Stivell,^[6] Bran Van 3000,^[7] Neneh Cherry,^[8] Wyclef Jean,^[5] Paul Simon,^[8] Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Branford Marsalis, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Dido and others.

The New York Times described his voice as an "arresting tenor, a supple weapon deployed with prophetic authority".^[9] N'Dour's work absorbed the entire Senegalese musical spectrum, often filtered through the lens of genre-defying rock or pop music from outside Senegalese culture.

In July 1993, an African opera composed by N'Dour premiered at the Opéra Garnier for the French Festival Paris quartier d'été.

He wrote and performed the official anthem of the 1998 FIFA World Cup with Axelle Red "La Cour des Grands".^[4]

Folk Roots magazine described him as the African Artist of the Century. He toured internationally for thirty years. He won his first American Grammy Award (best contemporary world music album) for his CD Egypt in 2005.^{[citation needed]}

He is the proprietor of L'Observateur, one of the widest-circulation newspapers in Senegal, the radio station RFM (Radio Future Medias) and the TV channel TFM.

In 2006, N'Dour played the role of the African-British abolitionist Olaudah Equiano in the movie Amazing Grace, which chronicled the efforts of William Wilberforce to end slavery in the British Empire.^[10]

In 2008, N'Dour offered one of his compositions, Bébé, for the French singer Cynthia Brown.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, N'Dour was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Music from Yale University.^[11]

Activism[link]

N'Dour was nominated Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 16 October 2000.^[12]

In Senegal, N'Dour became a powerful cultural icon, actively involved in social issues. In 1985, he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela. He was a featured performer in the 1988 worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour collaborating with Lou Reed on a version of the Peter Gabriel song Biko which was produced by Richard James Burgess and featured on the Amnesty International benefit album The Secret Policeman's Third Ball. He worked with the United Nations and UNICEF, and he started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa and to connect Senegalese communities around the world. He performed in three of the Live 8 concerts (in Live 8 concert, London, Live 8 concert, Paris and at the Live 8 concert, Eden Project in Cornwall) on 2 July 2005, with Dido.^[13] He covered John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" for the 2007 CD Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. He appeared in a joint Spain-Senegal ad campaign to inform the African public about the dramatic consequences of illegal immigration.^{[citation needed]} N'Dour participated in the Stock Exchange of Visions project in 2007.^[14]

In 2007 he became a council member of the World Future Council.^{[citation needed]}

Since 2008, he is a member of the Fondation Chirac's honour committee^[15]. The same year, Youssou N'Dour's microfinance organization named Birima was launched with the collaboration of Benetton United Colors.

In 2009, he released his song "Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)" under a Creative Commons license to help IntraHealth International in their IntraHealth Open campaign to bring open source health applications to Africa. The song was remixed by a variety of artists including Nas, Peter Buck of R.E.M., and Duncan Sheik to help raise money for the campaign.^[16]

Politics[link]

At the beginning of 2012, he entered the race for the presidency of Senegal for the 2012 presidential election, competing against Abdoulaye Wade^[17][18]. However, he was disqualified from running in the election over the legitimacy of the signatures he had collected to endorse his campaign^[19].

In April 2012 it was announced that N'dour has been appointed tourism and culture minister in the cabinet of new Prime Minister Abdoul Mbaye.^[20]

Discography[link]

N'Dour at the 2010 Festival de Cornouaille at Quimper, France.

Albums[link]

• Bitim Rew (1984)
• Nelson Mandela (1986)
• Immigrés (1988)
• The Lion (1989)
• Set (1990)
• Eyes Open (1992)
• The Guide (Wommat) (1994)
• Gainde – Voices from the Heart of Africa (1995)
• Djamil (1996)
• Inedits 84-85 (1997)
• Special Fin D'annee Plus (1999)
• Lii (2000)
• Joko: From Village To Town (2000)
• Joko: The Link (2000)
• Rewmi (2000)
• Le Grand Bal (2000)
• St. Louis (2000)
• Le Grand Bal a Bercy (2001)
• Ba Tay (2002)
• Nothing's In Vain (2002)
• Youssou N'Dour and His Friends (2002)
• Kirikou (2004)
• Egypt (2004)
• Alsaama Day (2007)
• Rokku Mi Rokka (2007) — #30 in Rolling Stone's Top 50 Albums of 2007.^[21]
• Special Fin D'annee : Salegne-Salegne (2009)
• Dakar - Kingston (2010)
• Mbalakh Dafay Wakh (2011)

Compilation albums[link]

• The Best of Youssou N'Dour (1995)
• Euleek Sibir with Omar (You et Pene) (1996)
• Immigrés/Bitim Rew (1997)
• Best of the 80's (1998)
• Hey You: The Essential Collection 1988–1990 (1998)
• Birth of a Star (2001)
• Rough Guide to Youssou N'Dour & Etoile de Dakar (2002)
• 7 Seconds: The Best of Youssou N'Dour (Remastered) (2004)
• Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur — John Lennon's "Jealous Guy" (2007)

Singles[link]

Films[link]

Amazing Grace (2006)

• As Olaudah Equiano. "A central figure in the abolitionist movement in Great Britain, Olaudah Equiano (c.1745–97) wrote an eyewitness account of his life as a slave and of his work in the anti-slavery movement: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano."
• As a musician on the film's soundtrack.

Retour à Gorée (2007)

• As himself, journeying from the island of Gorée to the USA and back, exploring the origins of jazz, which go back to the era of slave trade in Africa, through a concert performed by an international group of artists.^[23][24]

Youssou N´Dour: I Bring What I Love (2008)

• As himself, through the recording of Egypt album and its repercussions.
• Released in the US on DVD by Oscilloscope Laboratories.

	Serer portal
	Senegal portal
	Music portal

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Youssou N'Dour

This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (November 2010)

• Official website
• Afropop Worldwide Interview with Youssou N'Dour, May 2004
• “Youssou N'Dour” World Music Legends
• “Senegal Superstar Wins Grammy for 'Egypt' ,” World Beat Planet, 16 Feb. 2005
• “Youssou N'Dour,” African Music Encyclopedia, 1998
• “Youssou N'Dour” AfroWeb
• “Youssou N'Dour, 'Egypt' and Islam,” National Public Radio
• "Youssou N'Dour: I bring what I love" at IMDb
• N'Dour's role in the film Amazing Grace
• Stock Exchange Of Visions: Visions of Youssou N'Dour (Video Interviews)
• IntraHealth Open featuring N'Dour's "Wake Up (It's Africa Calling)"
• Ferloo

v t e Serer topics History Timeline of Serer history Serer ancient history Serer history (medieval era to present) Senegambian stone circles Cekeen Tumulus Kingdom of Sine kingdom of Saloum Kingdom of Baol Kingdom of Biffeche States headed by ancient Serer Lamanes The Battle of Fandane-Thiouthioune The Battle of Logandème People Serer people Ndut people Noon people Saafi people Niominka people Palor people Laalaa people Religion Serer religion Serer creation myth Roog (Serer deity) Koox Pangool Saltigue The legend of Jambooñ and Agaire Religion in Senegal Religion in the Gambia Junjung (sacred musical instrument) Sacred places Kingdom of Sine Tukar Fatick Senegambian stone circles Cekeen Tumulus The Point of Sangomar Sacred text Raampa Education Ndut Philosophy Jom Geography Serer countries Demographics Demographics of Senegal Demographics of the Gambia Demographics of Mauritania Culture and language Tassu (conservative and religious music) Njuup (conservative and religious music) Senegalese wrestling Mbalax (popular music) Sabar (music instrument) Tama (musical instrument, sacred through the Ndut-Woong) Serer language Cangin languages Ndut language Safen language Lehar language Palor language Kings Lamane Jegan Joof Ama Gôdô Maat Ma N'Dambao Lel Maad Ndaah Njemeh Joof Maad a Sinig Maysa Wali Jaxateh Manneh Bourba Jolof Ndiadiane Ndiaye Maad a Sinig Waagaan Tenin Jom Faye Maad Patar Kholleh Joof Maad a Sinig Niokhobaye Mane Nyan Joof Maad a Sinig Guejopal Mane Nyan Joof Maad Saloum Mbegan Ndour Maad Saloum Malaotan Joof Maad Semou Njekeh Joof Laasuk Fanaan Faye Waagaan Kumbasaanjaan Faye Maad a Sinig Boukar Tjilas Sanghaie Diouf Maad a Sinig Ama Joof Gnilane Faye Joof Maad a Sinig Mbackeh Kodu Njie Maad Saloum Balleh Njugou Ndaw Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof Coronation of Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Famak Joof Maad Saloum Bala Adam Njie Maad a Sinig Kumba Ndoffene Fa Ndeb Joof Maad a Sinig Mahecor Joof Maad Saloum Fode N'Gouye Joof Mama Tamba Jammeh Queens and queen mothers Lingeer N'Dambao Lel Lingeer Fatim Beye Lingeer Ndoye Demba Lingeer Yandeh Mbouna Faye Lingeer Ngoneh Jaay Lingeer Selbeh Ndoffene Joof Lingeer Gnilane Jogoye Joof Dynasties and royal houses Joof family Wagadou (Princesses from the Ghana Empire who married into the old Serer royal families) Faye family The Royal House of Boureh Gnilane Joof The Royal House of Jogo Siga Joof The Royal House of Semou Njekeh Joof Guelowar Joos Maternal Dynasty (of Waalo) Guedj Maternal Dynasty (of Cayor and Baol, founded by Lingeer Ngoneh Jaay of Saloum) Royal titles Lamane (Also connected to Serer religion through the Pangool) Maad a Sinig Maad Saloum Teigne Buumi Thilas Loul Lingeer Law Serer customary law Serer Categories Serer portal

Mababa "Pape" Diouf (born December 18, 1951 in Abéché, Chad) is a Senegalese former journalist, best known for being the president of French football club Olympique Marseille^[1] between 2005 and 2009^[2].

Diouf was born in Abéché, Chad, to Senegalese parents. The family returned to their native country shortly after Diouf's birth.

Career[link]

At the age of eighteen, Diouf moved to Marseille, and eventually became a journalist for a city newspaper.^[2] Diouf centred his work around sport, and particularly the local football club, Olympique Marseille^[1][2]. Eventually he turned his hand to being a sports agent^[2], with clients such as former French international defender Basile Boli, and Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell playing for Marseille. He became closely linked with the Côte d'Azur side, and his intimate relationship with the club culminated in him becoming club president in 2005. Robert Louis-Dreyfus announced that Pape Diouf would leave on June 17, 2009.^[3] He was replaced by Jean-Claude Dassier.

References[link]

• (French) Sport fr (retrieved : 1 May 2012)

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DJ Prostyle (born Alexander Ricardo Santelises) is an Dominican American DJ and producer on Power 105.1 in New York City and Power 95.3 in Orlando, Florida. He also owns his own record label, All Pro Records.^[1]

Prostyle began his radio career on Power 95.3 in Orlando, Florida.^[1] He later moved back to New York City and joined 105.9 La Kalle.^[1] He then returned to Power 95.3 and later joined Power 105.1 in New York City.

Prostyle also got involved in television, making several guest appearances on BET's Rap City and later became part of 106 & Park alongside hosts Terrence J and Rocsi, where he mixes live during the show and hosting duties during "Freestyle Fridays". He also mixes during major network events like the BET Awards and Spring Bling.

Awards[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website
• DJ Prostyle on Myspace
• DJ Prostyle on Twitter
• DJ Prostyle at the Internet Movie Database
• DJ Prostyle at Discogs
• DJ Prostyle's profile on Power 105.1

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Viviane Ndour (born Viviane Chidid) is a Senegalese pop singer who is the former sister-in-law of Youssou N'Dour. She is known by some as the "Queen of Mbalax."

Family and Background[link]

She has two children, a boy and a girl, with her ex husband Bouba Ndour.

Viviane was born in Senegal in one of the coastal cities near the Atlantic Ocean. Her music combines traditional Senegalese mbalax music with elements of U.S. rap and R&B. She released her first album in 1999 and formed a group called Le Jolof Band in 2001. Most of her songs are in either Wolof or English though a few are in French, the official language of Senegal. She is Muslim.

Albums and Videos[link]

As of 2009, Viviane currently had two albums actively selling on the market, in grocery stores and even in the shop in Senegal's airport. Those two albums were Bataclan Cafe (being the most recent) and Man Diarra which arrived in 2005.^[1]

Bataclan Cafe contains work recorded live in concert and her monster hit "Beggue Na Lenn" (meaning "love you all" in English) which she has a video for; receiving regular spins on Senegalese television in 2007. The hit single off the 2005 Man Diara album was "Kagna La Giss".^[2] In the song she sings vibrantly about missing her loved one, and dreaming and wishing of his return. Like many Wolof songs, and as tradition in music of the region, the song builds and builds to a climax and the final verse captures her giving shout-outs to various people. In 2010 she gained her first taste of international notoriety by doing a commercial for the Ritz cracker company where she can be heard singing her song "Ta Ta Viviane!"

Other Popular Songs And Videos[link]

Other hit videos of her are tracks such as "Welcome to Africa" with Mokobe, and possibly her greatest achievement, "Cheri Boy" in which we find Viviane effortlessly blending hip-hop, R&B, Reggae, and traditional Senegalese sound all in one track. The beat of the song has a soft, smooth reggae feel, the chorus is sung R&B style, and the verses are 16 bar raps like American style hip-hop.^[3]

Relationship To American Music[link]

A story that briefly details Vivianes relationship with American music is relayed by Likembe on his blog...

"It's said that the first time Viviane heard Aaliyah's "Are You That Somebody" she thought it was Americans copying Senegalese music. Her remake, "Goor Fit," featured on Entre Nous/Between Us/Ci Sunu Biir, proved to be one of her most memorable and popular songs, so naturally there had to be still another version, "Am Fit," from 2003's Fii Ak Fee (Jololi). I've always liked Aaliyah's original, but Viviane's versions take the song to transcendent new levels."^[4]

Live Shows[link]

While some of her songs may borrow American styles, Viviane Ndour still stays true to her roots as a Senegalese artist. In her live shows, the songs do not follow the usual 3 to 5 minute formats of American songs. She usually has a live band, and the drum work is provided in traditional fashion as a dancer will make movements responding naturally to whatever changes in rhythm the drummer may decide to make. Unscripted, whenever Viviane decides, she will again return to the song, but much of it is separated with interaction/ad libs with the audience.^[5]

Albums: Entre Nous/Between us/Ci sunu biir: 1999 Nature: 2001 Le Show: 2001 Tere Nelaw: 2002 Fii ak Fee: 2003 Viviane et Freres: 2004 Man Diarra: 2005 Bataclan Cafe: 2007 Wuyayooy:2010

1. ^ http://www.afromix.org/html/musique/artistes/viviane/index.en.html
2. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olyCH_vJ9FE
3. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ71m3nCulk
4. ^ http://likembe.blogspot.com/2008/04/dakar-divas-pt-5-viviane-ndour.html
5. ^ http://musiques-afrique.com/icons/viviane_ndour_small.jpg