African Celebrities: Senegal

Thursday, 26 December 2013

Youssou N'Dour

Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer, percussionist, songwriter, composer, occasional actor, businessman and a politician. He was born on October 1, 1959 in Dakar, Senegal. At age 12 he began to perform and within a few years was performing regularly with the Star Band, Dakar's most popularly group during the 1970s.

Youssou N'Dour won his first American Grammy Award (best contemporary world music album) for his CD Egypt in 2005. He wrote and performed the official anthem of the 1998 FIFA World Cup with Axelle Red "La Cour des Grands". In 2011, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree in Music from Yale University.

He was appointed Minister of Tourism and Culture in April 2012.

Youssou N'Dour

Youssou N'Dour (left) and Angelique Kidjo from Benin

Youssou N'Dour - Birima

Wednesday, 6 November 2013

Akon

Aliaune Damala Akon Thiam popularly known as Akon is a Senegalese American R & B and hip hop recording artist, songwriter and record producer.

He was born on 16th April 1973 in St. Louis, Senegal. His mother was a dancer and his father was a percussionist. At age 7, he moved with his family to Union City, New Jersey, United States.

Akon has worked with numerous performers such as Michael Jackson, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Whitney Houston, Bone Thugs -N-Harmony, Gwen Stefani and many more artists. He has produced many hits for artists such as Lady Gaga, Colby O' Donis, Kardinal Offishall, Leona Lewis and T-Pain.

In February 2007, Akon launched his clothing line, Konvict Clothing. It features urban streetwear including denim jeans, hoodies, t-shirts and hats. Aliaune is the upscale version, or high-end line, for males and females, which includes blazers, denim jeans and other items. He also has his own charity for underprivileged children in Africa called Konfidence Foundation. Akon owns a diamond mine in South Africa.

Akon has six children with three different women.