“Africa needs to talk to each other, it also needs mediation”

Youssou N’Dour is the king of mbalax in Senegal, an immense source of pride for the African people and an essential musician, author, composer and performer with international fame. He was also Minister of Culture and Tourism in Senegal in the Mbaye government. He is a committed singer, in 1985 he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela at the Friendship Stadium in Dakar and several concerts for the benefit of the humanitarian organization Amnesty International. He is also a goodwill ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and UNICEF.

From September 20 to 23, 2023, he will be on stage at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris with Papa Oumar N’gom, Super Étoile and the Dakar dance troupe for the musical tale Birima.

franceinfo: How was this original idea born?

Youssou N’Dour: We thought that, coming out of this pandemic, we needed to come back with something new. And I think that the world always waits, whenever there are problems like this, for artists, creators to come up with something new. Now the result is our meeting with the public. We are going to receive things from the public and we are going to give them something with this evening of Birima who calls his people.

We really feel that musical tales are something very important and that they are passed down from generation to generation. It is also what creates the social bond.

This is what we experienced with our generation. Around the stories, there are values, there is awareness and I think there is really solidarity. The story lulls children and we have seen that, we have experienced it and I think that the time has come today to bring those things back. This period was really very important and not only for Senegal, but almost everywhere in Africa.

What child were you?

Very close to my grandmother who told me many stories of our family. Interested in music, very early, very attentive and I was learning all the time.

“Life is a school and every day we learn.”

Youssou N’Dour

at franceinfo

People saw me start singing when I was 13. They saw a teenager starting to have a career so they supported me, accompanied me, sometimes scared me! Yes, I have this passion, but I was lucky too. There was a lot of pressure. My father didn’t want me to do music, he wanted us to continue studying. Music came from my mother’s side. She encouraged me a lot, so I did everything to convince my father. I went through an orchestra called the Star Band de Dakar then in a group called the Étoile de Dakar. And then, one day, I said to myself: I’m going to have a solo career and more than half of the group followed me by becoming my musicians.

There is a real loyalty, because they are there with you on stage!

Yes, I always say that after the Rolling Stoneswe can claim that we are the band that has also endured.

There is a lot of work being done around the voice. You started by singing and then you put your voice down. You have become a voice. So, what relationship do you have with her?

You have a voice. Afterwards the content is very important. Music is to entertain, to bring a little more joy. But we also know that it is a strength. It can be used to send messages. Give our voice. The griot played this role and we do it as modern-day griots.

You have always advocated love, particularly at a time when the Central African Republic was marked by interreligious violence, with the title One Africa that you sang with Idylle Mamba. Is it very important as an artist to calm minds and tensions?

Yes, I am a man of peace. I work for peace. Africa needs to talk to each other, it also needs mediation.

“Every time there is a word to be said to promote peace, I am willing to speak for Africa.”

Youssou N’Dour

at franceinfo

Finally, how would you define yourself? Who is Youssou N’Dour?

Youssou N’Dour is about usefulness, about being responsible and trying to be useful every time people need you to be there to bring them something.

Watch this interview on video: