Is Youssou N’Dour Living or Dead?

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Is Senegalese politician and singer-songwriter Youssou N’Dour dead? Or ... still alive?

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By Charles Bottage

Updated 18 March 2023

Image info

Artist	Kotoviski photograph by Henryk Kotowski
Credit	Own work
License	cc-by-sa-3.0
Desc	Youssou N'dour from Senegal performing in Warszawa, Poland during the 5th Cross Culture Festival
Usage	Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Image info/credit

Senegalese politician and singer-songwriter

Youssou N’Dour is ...

Alive

Born	1 October 1959 in Dakar
Age	63 years, 5 months

Sex or gender	male
Country of citizenship	Senegal
Sibling	Bouba Ndour
Occupation	politician, singer-songwriter, singer and international forum participant
Nominated for	Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album and Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album
Instrument	voice
Position held	UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
Awards	Prince Claus Award, Polar Music Prize, Praemium Imperiale, Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album and La Mar de Músicas
Genre	mbalax and Afrobeat
Member of	Star Band and Super Étoile
Twitter username	youssoundoursn
Instagram username	youssoundour1959
Participant in	World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2004

About Youssou N’Dour

Youssou N'Dour: The Voice of Senegal

Youssou N'Dour was born on October 1, 1959, in Dakar, Senegal. He grew up in a family of griots, traditional West African musicians and storytellers. From a young age, N'Dour was exposed to a variety of musical styles, including traditional Senegalese music, jazz, and Cuban music.

N'Dour began his music career in the 1970s, performing with the Star Band de Dakar. In the 1980s, he formed his own band, Super Étoile de Dakar, and began to gain international recognition for his unique blend of traditional Senegalese music and modern pop.

In addition to his music career, N'Dour has been involved in politics and social activism. He has been a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights in Senegal and throughout Africa. In 2012, he ran for president of Senegal, but was ultimately disqualified from the race.

N'Dour has collaborated with a wide range of musicians, including Peter Gabriel, Neneh Cherry, and Bruce Springsteen. He has also been recognized for his contributions to music and activism, receiving numerous awards and honors, including the Polar Music Prize and the Prince Claus Award.

Despite his success and fame, N'Dour remains committed to his roots and his community. He has used his platform to raise awareness about issues affecting Senegal and Africa, including poverty, HIV/AIDS, and political corruption.

As Rolling Stone once wrote, "Youssou N'Dour is one of the most important musicians of our time, a voice for Africa and a voice for the world." With his powerful voice and his unwavering commitment to social justice, N'Dour continues to inspire and influence people around the globe.

References:

- "Youssou N'Dour." Biography.com. A&E Television Networks, 2016. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.

- "Youssou N'Dour." Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC, n.d. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.

- "Youssou N'Dour: The Voice of Senegal." NPR. National Public Radio, 23 Feb. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2016.