Senegal Youssou N' Dour Baaba Maal Coumba Gowlo Cheikh Lo HIP HOP

The country of Senegal is very difficult. We are a poor country. In Africa we have many problems. I don't have to try and do comparisons between African and Europe. It is not the same. In Europe people are very rich. In Africa we are not very rich. We are poor but we are very rich inside.

People are good, their mind is good, we have lots of cultural riches. People are always smiling here getting happy. That is our riches. If my name goes around the world, I started here in Africa. I am richer in my country for everything. I have more inspiration. I have a good life.

Jammu Africa is a song for peace in Africa and the world. colonialisation divided us and that is why we have ethnic violence. This song is for peace, this song is to stop war, and for peace and love. That is what I want to see before the last day of life. Africa Unite.

Every album, every song I write for Africa, for peace, for love, for children, for women, for Africa. A god future for Africa Unite. I am an artist, I sing.

It was a very big pleasure for me that women give me a nomination to represent West African Women. They have problems as in Muslim religions, women are always behind the men. I can help the women movement to have a good opportunity in life. It's very different as a man but we are living in Africa and everything is going to change. If you find a women president, why not? Ismael Lo is a name in Africa. It is more easy for me to talk t the president or journalist than her.

We have more men singers than women. It is a tradition. We have griot family. It is the same in Mali and Guinnea. Now there are six to eleven popular women singers You can find many but they are not all popular.

Muslim is Muslim everywhere. We are not living on the same side. Every side has its practice. We have five prayers every day. Before making your prayer you must wash your hands and be spiritual. In Senegal after you pray you go to do your business. The most important thing is to do your prayer on hours. Finished.

When I started singing my mother did not want me singing. For her, singing is for griot communities. I feel singing, I have to sing. There are many singers in Senegal, like Baaba Maal, who are not griot. I have good relations with all griots n Senegal. I sing my way. I didn't have to sing like griots, griots can sing for someone about big things, it is not my tradition.

I don't have to sing about those things. Griot community is a tradition of family to family. I am a modern singer. I am not a griot. I don't feel a big difference between me and griot. The first music I heard in traditional Senegalese music , it is my culture. The second music on my life is soul music. I feel more the traditional music to help me. Our music is very open around the world. I start in Orifisk, not very far from Dakar. I was six or seven years. I made my own guitar with old bottle. After that I have to imitate Senegalese music. I am playing real guitar from 1989. I was listening to radio all day. We had all celebrations of my culture.

I don't like this name star, superstar, but I know I am very popular, but I am a singer. I was very popular very quickly, but I don't have a school. The style I play. It was new for Senegalese community. Playing acoustic guitar, singing and playing HARMONICA. Everyone came to see me and listen to me. In my mind I never wanted to be popular or an artist I do that just for pleasure. I have my brother bring me on TV show. I play one time, two time and people like my music. It is coming very naturally. I am a musician, but I feel many other things then singing. I am painting before music. I like building, I like to do something with flowers and trees. I feel I don't have time to do the things in my life. I am always touring.

Sometime I am surprised. Sometimes it is difficult. Perhaps I go to the market to buy fish and all the people want to touch me, to talk to me, to give me hand. I am an artist. I have to live my life. I don't want to be like the president. You stay only home and anything you want people go outside and get it for you. You don't have a life. I try to live very naturally. Sometimes people don't want me to do something, like going to the market, the beach or building somewhere. I feel to live. I feel to go now to the cinema, I go to the cinema. I feel to play football now, I play football now. I am very simple.

On the future I have to stop touring and help the now generation with music. Now I am very experienced with music. I do many good and bad things. And all the good things I did I have to give to the new generation coming up. I write songs for other singers. I want to have more time for painting. Sometimes I bring my clothes to paint with me when I have one month tour. I have to help my children, and now my first daughter is 18 or 21. I have to help my family and other musicians.