African Music Styles: 
What Is Mbalax?

Fusion Of Traditional Griot And Modern Western Music

You think you don't know what mbalax is? Chances are that you've heard this popular African music style without even knowing: Youssou N'Dour, Senegal's most famous singer has been the leading promoter of this African genre music for 30 years.

So, if you like the style that Youssou plays, you are going to love mbalax music and enjoy exploring some of the many other great artists of this genre!

It is the most popular music style in Senegal and Gambia. Both young and old people are among the many loyal fans. Why? Probably because it's a successful mix of traditional African and modern Western styles:

A bit of history

For centuries, the traditional musicians (griots) of the Wolof people have been singing praise songs with clear, high-pitched voices accompanied by sabar and other talking drums. With the arrival of the French colonial masters, Western Latin music, Jazz, Funk and even Rock and Pop started to influence and dominate the music scene. People loved the foreign styles so much, that their own traditional music was at risk to disappear.

But after the country had gained independence from the French, the nation slowly started to take pride in their African identity again. The result of this was an interesting fusion of cultures in the 1970s:

It was most likely the group Etoile de Dakar who first incorporated traditional sabar rhythms into their modern songs and Youssou N'Dour continued to shape the style more than any other artist.

What it sounds like

Mbalax is modern enough for us Westerners to understand and traditional enough to get a glimpse of West Africa's rich culture: Unusual voices singing in the Wolof language - An ethnic drum beat here and there - Electric guitars imitating traditional sabar rhythms.

This is highly addictive, popular music with an exotic touch that makes you want to pack your bags and explore Senegal! Here is something to start with:

• Insider Tip:
  Senegalese fans swear on classics like Youssou N'Dour, Thione Seck, Ismael Lô and Omar Pene... You can't go wrong with these artists. Just run a quick search to find their albums:

List of artists:

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S  T  U   V  W  X  Y  Z

A Abdou Guité Seck Aby Ndour Adja Maissa Coura Ady Thioune Alias Diallo Alioune Mbaye Nder Alioune kassé et les kassé stars Ami Colle Amy Mbengue Arame Assane Gaye Assane Mboup Assane Ndiaye B Babacar Dieng Babacar Faye Babacar Seck Bakane Seck Bass Taye Boy Marone C Ceddo Cheikh Lô Cherif Mbaw Coumba Arame Coumba Gawlo D Daba Seye Demba Dia Dieuf Dieul Djanbutu Thiossane E El Gueye Etoile de Dakar F Fallou Dieng Fatou Guewel Fatou Laobe I Ismael Lô J Jamm K Khadija L Lemzo Diamono

M Mamadou L Maiga Mapathe Diop Mapenda Seck Maty Thiam Dogo Mbaye Dieye Faye Metzo Djatah Mika Gomis Missal N Nder Ndeye Diarra Gueye Ndongo Lô Ngone Ndiaye O Omar Pene Ousmane Diop Ouza (Ousmane Diallo) P Papa Ndiaye Pape Diouf Pape Niang S Salam Diallo Secka Sidy Samb Souleymane Faye Super Cayor de Dakar Super Diamono T Thio Mbaye Thione Seck Titi V Viviane W Waflash Wapyrat Wato Sita X Xalam Xalat de Dakar Y Yoro Ndiaye Youssou N'Dour Yves Niang

Copyright © 2009 - 2011 African-Music-Safari.com