February 13, 2005

It's a rare year that Afropop Worldwide's Album of the Year also picks up the Grammy Award for Contemporary World Music. In fact, today is the first time it's ever happened! The Afropop team was lucky enough to hear Egypt in its first public presentation at the World Sacred Music Festival in Fes, Morocco in June, 2004. We knew right then it was the dawn of something special. Overdue congratulations to Youssou N'Dour on his first Grammy Award! Congratulations also to the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, who won in the Best Salsa/Merengue Album category for Across 110th Street, and to Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who won in the Traditional World Music category for Raise Your Spirit Higher.

Also check out these links to interviews with Youssou N'Dour and Fathy Salama, creators of Egypt, and with Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and reviews of Youssou's remarkable and visionary album.

Youssou N'Dour 'Egypt' interview.

Fathy Salama 'Egypt' interview.

Joseph Shabala interview.

Afropop 'Egypt' review by Banning Eyre.