TODAY’S CLASSIC TUNE: Baaba Maal - Naange Afrik
For those of you, like myself, who can’t get enough of Maal’s infectuous sounds, watch a full concert of the Senegalese singer and guitarist performing songs spanning his 20+ years as a musician live as part of the Guardian’s series A Room for London – Artangel’s boat installation perched on top of the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s south bank.
TODAY’S CLASSIC TUNE: Youssou N’Dour feat. Neneh Cherry
Although he is currently Senegal’s Minister of Tourism and Culture, legendary Dakar-born singer Youssou N’Dour is most well-known for his adaptation of the traditional mbalax sound and his modern-day griot status.
With a career spanning over 40 years, N’Dour is undoubtedly one of the most celebrated African musicians in history and has released almost 30 albums.
Despite his international success, 7 Seconds is his only commercially successful and charting single in both the US and several European countries.
The song is trilingual with N’Dour singing in both Wolof and French, and Cherry in English.
Africa Beats: Moroccan singer Ahmed Soultan performs his song Ignorance
In the third of a series showcasing Africa’s musical talent, Moroccan singer Ahmed Soultan performs his song Ignorance.
Ahmed is a Moroccan musician who is passionate about reconnecting his country with the rest of Africa.
His music combines Arabic slang, and the melodies that characterise the music of the Middle East, with Berber beats that he says are fundamentally African.
Early on, he rejected advice that he should go to Paris to further his musical career.
Instead, he headed to Dakar, the Senegalese capital. There he connected with reggae and hip hop artists such as Tiken Jah Fakoly and Positive Black Soul.
He has released two albums to date, Tolerance in 2006 and Code in 2009. He is working on a third.
Video produced by Owain Rich.