Youssou N'Dour (born 1 October 1959 in Dakar, Senegal) is a singer, percuss… Read Full Bio ↴Youssou N'Dour (born 1 October 1959 in Dakar, Senegal) is a singer, percussionist and occasional actor. N'Dour is one of the most celebrated African musicians in history, his mix of traditional Senegalese mbalax with eclectic influences ranging from Cuban rumba to hip hop, jazz, and soul has won him an international fan base of millions.

N'Dour was born in Medina in Dakar, Senegal, in 1959 and started his music career singing in small clubs in Dakar in the Wolof language, which is predominantly spoken in Senegal and Gambia. He's most popular for his mbalax beat which gave him the title "Roi de Mbalax" (King of Mbalax), and is a household name in Senegal, Gambia and neighbouring countries in West Africa with a long list of hits from the early days in the 70s to date.

In 1979, he formed his own ensemble, the Etoile de Dakar. His early work with Etoile de Dakar was in the typical Latin style popular all over Africa during that time, but in the 1980s he developed a unique sound when he started his current group, Super Etoile de Dakar, featuring Jimi Mbaye on guitar, bassist Habib Faye, and tama (talking drum) player Assane Thiam.

N'Dour was introduced to the Western audience when Peter Gabriel had him appear on his 'So' album (in 1986) and theb took N'Dour and The Super Etoile de Dakar on the road with him in a subsequent world tour. N'Dour has also collaborated with a lengthy list of influential artists including Paul Simon, Neneh Cherry, and Branford Marsalis.

He is endowed with remarkable range and poise, a composer, bandleader, and producer with a prodigious musical intelligence. The New York Times most recently described his voice as an "arresting tenor, a supple weapon deployed with prophetic authority". N'Dour absorbs the entire Senegalese musical spectrum in his work, often filtering this through the lens of genre-defying rock or pop music from outside Senegalese culture.

Youssou N´Dour is currently the new minister of Culture of Senegal as a reward for his campaign against the former president of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade who was defeated by Macky Sall in February 2012.

Oh Boy
Youssou N'Dour Lyrics

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Soy nelaw mingui xol
Ngay defar mingui xalat
Yakk bu gueneu gaw
Ko andal muy nitt kubax
Mu wutal ko sikk mou dem
Xalé yangkey daw
Mou diem la dimbali dou meun
Mayla diaroul xalat

Bo tarder mou dem ba la
Té io nga dikko mouñal
Koula beug dangkoy beug
Mane taxaw nacci témbé
Boy boy boy boy kay changer
Kay changer
Ninga beug dula gaw
Buñu togué di waxtan
Ci match bi amon bik
Kuffa dominé daflay contral
Bou degué ñu yeukeuti seu tour
Mouné xolal deffoufi dara
Liffi xewon d mettina
Muné nonu la warone demer
Koumou fekk ngay deff lou bax
Mou fekher ba yakk ko
Bula feker ngay deff lou bonn
Mou pousse la nga yagg cii
Mane taxaw nacci témbé
Boy boy boy boy kay changer
Kay changer
Ninga beug dula gaw
Boy boy noy boy kay changer
Kay changer
Ninga beug dula gaw
Mane sangu naccii heheheheyyy (×2)
Mame Seye Fall ohh
Ya démone biir Dagana sama way nga
Mo yaro Mbour guedjo sama way nga
Dem deuki Louga Lô woy
Mane dal io dal sama waay nga
Mame Seye Fall eh
Mo yaro Mbour guedj
Dem Walo
Io dal mane dal sama way nga
Mane taxaw nacci témbé
Boy boy boy boy kay changer Kay
Kay changer

Ninga beug dula gaw
Mane sangu nacii hehehehey

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Youssou N'Dour's song "Oh Boy" tell a story of a young man who is trying to find his way in life. He is struggling with the challenges that he faces and feeling lost and unsure of himself. The chorus repeats the phrase "kay changer," which means "change course" in Wolof, a language spoken in Senegal. This is a message to the young man to take control of his life and make the changes he needs to find happiness and success.

In the first verse, the young man expresses his confusion and uncertainty. He feels like he is walking around in a fog and doesn't know which way to turn. He is searching for guidance and direction. In the second verse, he talks about feeling trapped and isolated. He is frustrated by the limitations that he sees around him and feels like he can't escape them. The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the need for change and action.

Overall, "Oh Boy" is a powerful message of hope and encouragement. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost, confused, or defeated. The lyrics urge listeners to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams, no matter what obstacles they may face.

Line by Line Meaning

Soy nelaw mingui xol
I don't want anything, I'm at peace

Ngay defar mingui xalat
I have no complaints

Yakk bu gueneu gaw
Everyone is equal

Ko andal muy nitt kubax
There is no need to fight

Mu wutal ko sikk mou dem
We will all die eventually

Xalé yangkey daw
The world is changing

Mou diem la dimbali dou meun
We must adapt to these changes

Mayla diaroul xalat
Don't worry too much about the future

Bo tarder mou dem ba la
Life is too short to waste

Té io nga dikko mouñal
Be careful not to harm others

Koula beug dangkoy beug
We are all interconnected