Youssou N'Dour

Youssou N'Dour is an international icon. A prime innovator of mbalax ??? a blend of Senegal's traditional music with Cuban rumba, calypso, and funk ??? N'Dour achieved widespread fame through numerous collaborations with Western pop stars, including singer Neneh Cherry and his special guest appearances on albums by Paul Simon (Graceland) and Peter Gabriel (So). Since forming Etoile de Dakar (modified to Super Etoile de Dakar in the 1980s) in 1979, the Grammy award-winning Youssou has been a staunch advocate for human rights in Africa and around the world with his amazing voice. Today, he continues to work for peace and justice through his music and political involvement. Rolling Stone magazine touts him as, ???perhaps the most famous singer alive.???