Our colleagues at Songlines magazine, based in London, just held their 2022 Songlines Music Awards. Their World Pioneer Award this year goes to the one and only Grammy Award-winning singer, composer, bandleader, activist and Afropop Board of Directors member, Youssou N’Dour. Congratulations Youssou!
Here’s how Songlines detailed why they chose Youssou as World Pioneer:
“During his remarkable career, the Dakar-born star had built up a formidable reputation as both a golden-voiced singer and profound musical innovator who has been responsible for recording some of the classic albums of 1980s West African popular music. He has also become one of his region's most significant cultural ambassadors, owning his own nightclub, studios, record label and radio station, while also mentoring and producing other artists from Cheikh Lo to Orchestra Baobab, and even serving a spell as Senegal’s minister for tourism.
Here’s Youssou’s friend and colleague Peter Gabriel toasting the man:
"Arguably the most soulful voice to emerge from Africa in the last 40 years, Youssou N’Dour is a glittering addition to the Songlines World Pioneer pantheon.”
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