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| | Singer
Youssou N’Dour |  |
 Youssou
N'Dour supports FAO's fight against hunger Youssou N'Dour was born in Dakar, Senegal
in 1959 and began singing as a child performer at neighbourhood gatherings. He
began his professional career at age 12, and by his mid-teens was singing regularly
with the Star Band, the most successful group in Senegal at that time. In 1979,
Mr N’Dour formed his own ensemble, the Etoile de Dakar, which two years later
had evolved into The Super Etoile.
The most famous band in Africa, The
Super Etoile, has crafted and invented a thoroughly modern African pop style.
It has influenced artists as diverse as Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon. Mr N'Dour
leaped to the world stage in the 1980s, singing on Paul Simon's 1986 album Graceland
and Peter Gabriel's So.
He toured with Mr Gabriel in 1987 and co-headlined
Amnesty International's Human Rights Now! tour in 1988. There he shared the stage
with Mr Gabriel, Sting, Tracy Chapman and Bruce Springsteen. Youssou N'Dour’s
tri-lingual song 7 seconds, performed with Nenah Cherry, is known around the world.
Mr N’Dour has devoted much effort to humanitarian activities. He has been
associated with the International Red Cross, the Jubilee 2000 Committee for the
cancellation of Third World debt and the United Nations anti-landmine campaign,
among others. He was awarded the Chevalier de l’ordre national du mérite du Sénégal.
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