Youssou N'Dour is Senegal's most famous worldwide. The New York Times declared him one of "the greatest voices of the world," the Paris Le Monde wrote in light of its committed lyrics, he sang Dylan in Wolof ". Wolof is the national language of Senegal and Youssou Ndour probably the best known Senegalese world. The artist fills in Paris with his "Mbalax" (read: mbalach) above Senegalese music, the largest concert halls in Germany, he is best known for his duets with Peter Gabriel, Sting, Neneh Cherry. For his album "Egypt," Youssou Ndour had received 2005 Grammy. His latest work is called "Dakar-Kingston. Martina Zimmermann interviewed Youssou Ndour at the world premiere of the new album in Africa (in Morocco) and Paris, where he performed at the sold out Olympia.
Martina Zimmermann: When I heard the new album "Dakar Kingston for the first time, I thought," Nice, but since he has not made much effort. I hear it a second time, I see your first concert with the new album in Dakhla in Morocco ... and since my songs do not go out of my head: There are several catchy tunes there!
Youssou N'Dour: This is 100% reggae, but beware: I wanted to pay homage not Bob Marley, as I sing his songs. I have taken the reggae sound for my African melodies, which were not intended for a reggae album. It was reggae, but also a fusion with my voice and various percussion.
Martina Zimmermann: So you're one morning woke up and you've said, now I do reggae, as I call Tyrone (Downie) and Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) on?
Youssou N'Dour: Gaston Madeira is a friend of mine for over 25 years. A real Reggaefan. We all like reggae, but he was still a bit more than the rest of us. He always told me, especially after the death of Bob, "I would love to hear your voice on Reggae '. I replied: At some point, perhaps. Last year, "said one (Fesman planned for 2009 in Senegal and again moved) at a meeting on the program of the festival of the arts nègres., There must also the big players in the black diaspora to celebrate ' For example, Youssou N'Dour, Bob Marley prove a tribute. I said: Maybe.
the evening I met Gaston and said, maybe I'm interested in your project now enormously. He was excited, immediately asked: who do we call? Tyrone knew my music and said that interested him very much. As history has begun.
Photo: Youssou N'Dour: World Première of Dakar Dakhla in Kingston at the Festival du Mer et du Désert
Martina Zimmermann: Tyrone Downie, who lives in France, former keyboard player of Bob Marley, arranger of Tiken Jah Fakoly and Alpha Blondy, said in the Paris daily Libération, the need to bring together for the album extremely strong espresso (from Senegal) and decaffeinated coffee (from Jamaica) ...
Youssou N'Dour: My songs in reggae are not self-evident. He had a lot of work. Tyrone was very diplomatic, he has really helped that something new came out.
Martina Zimmermann: And Cat Stevens, Yusuf Islam?
Y Oussou N'Dour: We were in Kingston in Jamaica to the baseline of the songs. Yusuf Islam is a dude, we often talk to each other. I told him that I was in Jamaica and receiving an album that will be a tribute to Bob Marley. I sent him the song I sing in Wolof (Senegal's national language) to Bob Marley. He said, I like that. I asked if he could write something to it. He wrote the first verse, he sent him, he was perfect. Tyrone wrote a part, I have written a part and the (Dub Poet) Mutabaruka has spoken out.
Martina Zimmermann: Reggae is the only musical genre of the so-called Third World, which has established itself internationally. When Rai appeared, and all the other singers Khaled dreamed that her style is as well known as reggae. You have with your Mbalax always worked in parallel, a pop version of the West and Mbalax for Senegal. In the title song "Marley" it is, the Africans love reggae. But in fact loves the whole The reggae world.
Youssou N'Dour: We Africans love reggae because he is a part of us. The slaves came from Africa. We think that their music comes from Africa. Reggae One can not think without Africa. Bob Marley had a special relationship with Africa. Tyrone told me when he was with the Wailers in Gabon, Bob Marley was very excited. We have also seen what has Bob Marley brought the former Rhodesia, with its historic concert (1980 Zimbabwe's independence - turned the album "Survival" in 1979 for African unity, the song "Zimbabwe" supported the independence fighters). I honestly believe is one of reggae to us Africans.
Martina Zimmermann: On "Dakar-Kingston" are Tyrone Downie and other "old" musicians from Jamaica here. And there is also the scene with young Ayo, Patrice, Morgan Heritage. They say repeatedly that the reggae was a very closed society.
Youssou N'Dour: This is a philosophy. To get in there, there is no entrance fee.
Martina Zimmermann: When Youssou N'Dour is and has a beautiful voice, maybe that's enough (laughs)
Youssou N'Dour: Youssou N'Dour If one is, one is free, with many sounds to work. Mbalax does not speak to all Africans. Reggae will appeal to everybody. This is an important moment in my work as a spokesman for Africa. This album will help many people to share something from me, not just the Senegalese. Not only the whites or Africans or the Americans. This album can match all, I am very happy.
percussionist Youssou Thiou Martina Z in Dakhla
Martina Zimmermann: On the album play a lot of musicians from Jamaica and a few "stars" from Dakar (Youssou band of Les Etoiles). On the tour, which will be the other way around, right?
Youssou N'Dour: I me think carefully about when we made the album. I looked at my musicians, with whom I have experienced a lot. I told myself to record it may be much more practical to take people to immediately make what we want. But live, my musicians and I capable of something special. Tyrone is also plays on the tour with us, we have worked in Dakar, my orchestra and the reggae and African songs. This is a show not just a reggae concert. You hear the new album but also my old stuff. I think since everyone gets their money.
Martina Zimmermann: The show is like always perfect. She was the one on the "sea and Desert Festival in Dakhla in the south of Morocco, it was in the Paris Olympia, where the mood was due to the many Senegalese still gigantic. We have spoken of your parallel career: an album in Senegal and another for Europe. This is the synthesis. Retrieved from "Egypt", there were no specific inclusion in Senegal, but that was something else, with the Cairo and Islamic Sufigesängen string orchestra.
Youssou N'Dour: "Egypt" is for me a historic album. It should establish the credibility of Islam again. This new album brings it all together. And I think it's important to get to "Egypt" is an album for all.
Martina Zimmermann : "Egypt" has triggered a controversy in Senegal. Some said that now it has also become Youssou religious, some more extremist Muslims, however, it did not, that is sung about religion.
Youssou N'Dour: Yes, it was complicated. I made this album with much pleasure and expected a positive response. The opposite happened. I was disappointed but not discouraged. It took time and much discussion. The people in Senegal have not even heard. Until it came out in the international market and won a Grammy. The Grammy allowed the Senegalese, the album "Egypt" to discover first time. Then everything is back to normal.
Martina Zimmermann: The audience is in some countries is difficult, for example in Senegal!
Youssou N'Dour: Yes, but they are less difficult to reggae. You may be very difficult with pop music, but with less reggae.
Martina Zimmermann: A song called Medina, a reprise. Medina is the place of your birth, your childhood where it all began ....
Youssou N'Dour: That is a quarter of young people in Dakar. A quarter with a sense of solidarity and an exceptional atmosphere, really wonderful.
Martina Zimmermann: Is it true that you have sold there is the grilled fish or a legend?
Youssou N'Dour: No, it's legend. I lived near the sea and we went there every afternoon when the fishermen came back, which had gone out in the morning. They gave us fish. We did not sell, we ate.
Martina Zimmermann: you became a singer at the tender age of 13 years discovered in a stadium.
Youssou N'Dour: The was in Saint Louis (the former colonial capital). I had previously sung in the holidays on fetuses. Many people encouraged me, 'The Boy has a beautiful voice, sing something! " One day there was a theater group in our neighborhood who needed a young singer. They have taken me. We won a national competition. A jury member was a saxophonist. He got me in an orchestra in which I have sung, was organized as a concert in Saint Louis (as a tribute to the late Papa Samba Diop). I was 13 and sang for the first time such a large event. Fortunately, took the radio to the event, and from the day the people began to talk about myself.
Martina Zimmermann: I know that Dad was not happy about it and you had to pull out in order to enforce your career choice ...
Youssou N'Dour: My father wanted me to go to school and not like some others in the music strand. That helped me because my eyes opened. In life, many things can happen, and thank God I was careful, thanks to my father to me.
Martina Zimmermann: Another important step was Africa Fete 1984 in Paris, the first concert abroad. Mamadou Konte, which all have in Paris in memory! Youssou N'Dour, but then he quickly hinorientiert to the Anglo-Saxons. It is as if it was you prefer not to long in the African milieu remain to Paris, where it was often gave money problems, struggles to get paid as a musician. That was the beginning of African scene. Mamadou African music brought to Paris for a festival! But in Paris it was for many years to right chaotic. Up, however, I saw four years later, in the largest concert hall in Paris Bercy, with Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Sting and Tracy Chapman. It was the Amnesty International tour!
Youssou N'Dour: Africa Fête, the first concert in Paris I had a special memory. During this tour, I met in London, Peter Gabriel. That has all changed. I became an artist who was very close to the Englishmen. In London we had a different view the music. Which encouraged a very pure style. My career has evolved in this direction and that was not bad, because in fact there was chaos in Paris, even if we accept all earnings Mamadou accounts. On the other side of the Channel, the concerts were well organized, because we had fewer worries. Europe was in the 1980's a tricky thing for an unknown African musicians. I was fortunate to meet people with whom we had fewer worries. We were able to develop quickly.
Martina Zimmermann : On the new album is "Do not walk away" from Sting. The album allows to trace the lives of Youssou N'Dour ...
Youssou N'Dour: Each song brings back a very important time. I did that with deliberately. You must be preceded by, without forgetting. "Dont walk away" was perfect with Sting. But with Morgan Heritage has received a different dimension. Sting had only sung in the choir, Morgan gives the song a new life. You might think it's a new song.
Martina Zimmermann: The song "survie" sings in French, the lack of solidarity. This song gives us a reason to talk about the commitment Youssou Ndour ...
Youssou N'Dour: Youssou N'Dour is As an activist against inequality. Today there are many people have the means and power, and exploit, and next to the ever increasing poverty, even in the cities of the modern countries. The song is to shake up. It is an important song because it is a big part of Africa, the French-speaking Africa, and it is also aimed at the French. I do not write very often in French. When I wrote this song, I wanted so badly to say, as it is. Despite all the development there remains a disparity.
press conference in Dakhla
Martina Zimmermann: remains the problem for artists who sing for good causes, often without the progress causes. In "Survie," says the text: I must say again and again, as long as nothing changes. Repeat this also applies to the - and much acclaimed - African unity. "African Dream Again" revived the idea again?
Youssou N'Dour: We must always singing about Africa, African history, the plight of Africa. And we also have to say that we believe in a better future. That is why we sing (with Ayo) "Africa Dream Again". We have a dream, may not lose heart, but dream on. The best is yet to come.
Martina Zimmermann: In Senegal you have an empire established. Disco, Studio, micro credit, a media empire with newspapers, radio and television. Youssou N'Dour is also a competent business man, or he would not build all this in 50 years (Youssou is as old as Senegal, which was established in 1960 independent). All these activities have the aim of developing Senegal?
Youssou N'Dour: My investment is to develop my country and the continent. I create jobs that now employ nearly 500 people that do not depend directly from me. I am proud of. We must fight against poverty. If the micro-credit banking system tomorrow, then much is really different. We need
Recording studios, and my disco is part of the cultural life of Dakar. Why did I
media? They play an important role, and I wanted to contribute to the balance in the information. Many people felt excluded from the information system, many did not feel affected. Our media are aimed at people who were interested not previously for information. Today my press group number one is: The majority of the Senegalese people are reading my newspaper, the majority heard on the radio and soon we will start with the TV station.
Martina Zimmermann: Youssou Some see as the future president ...
Youssou N'Dour: I told all the Senegalese I, Youssou N'Dour will, no power, I do not want to be president. But I will get involved now. At the next election, I'm going to pick a camp and work to ensure that it wins! I know many people who know their past, know who they are and what they want to do. I will be the people who listen to me recommend to choose the man of whom I mean that he can govern well Senegal. And on the day when he falls into trouble, I say: you do not know what you promised! That's my role, and I will do it, if it pleases God.
Martina Zimmermann: Youssou N'Dour is therefore an artist, in which man and work does not need to separate? Some artists are so great works, great singing, and talk well, but in private they are less exemplary.
Youssou N'Dour: I stand by what I do. I stand by my music. I stand to be with my behavior as a committed person. Belong together. What I've become, I have to thank the Senegalese. When I started 13 years ago, I had no idea. To this day I have people I trust and trust them. I have to tell them the truth and help so that we are making progress. If someone lays down his life for that Senegal has peace and progress, then I! It's me!
Martina Zimmermann: There were also rumors in Senegal, Youssou has become polygamous. I think in reality it was a divorce ...
Youssou N'Dour: This shows that the Senegalese people depend on me. They monitor me (smiles). I got my divorce five years ago. This can happen to anyone. Even Mandela, my hero, get a divorce! In Senegal, it was a big problem now, the newspapers wrote about it. I married again, I have not two women but one. At that time it was a bit difficult because my life has been played on the road. Now it is quiet. People know that I'm honest. I prefer to live with a man whom I love. I do not trickster.
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