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.
Yo Le Le
Youssou N'Dour Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
GOOD NEWS
Ted tells his family that a talent agent wants to meet with him. The agent will fly Ted and Amber to New York. Nicole announces that she's been named president of the Spanish Club.
Ted: Amber and I are going to break into the music business. Last night after our concert, a talent agent asked us to meet with him in New York.
Susan: Congratulations! We'll give you some spending money for your trip.
Ted: No need. The agent is footing the bill for everything. And when we get there, he's going to wine and dine us.
Susan: He must think you're the cream of the crop.
Ted: He thinks we sound like the Goo Goo Dolls.
Ted: You're really out of it. They're a popular rock band.
Nicole: Our family is certainly on a winning streak. I was elected president of the Spanish Club today.
Ted: The Spanish Club? Big deal!
Nicole: You don't get it, Ted. This is only the beginning. Today, president of the Spanish Club. Tomorrow, ambassador to Spain!
Ted: Well, Ambassador, you'll need to wrap up my chemistry homework before you leave for the Spanish Embassy.
Susan: A rock star and a diplomat — I'm so proud of both of you!
The lyrics of Youssou N'Dour's song Yo Le Le are in Wolof, a language of Senegal, and are based on the traditional genre of Senegalese music called mbalax. The song starts with a rhythmic chant "Yo Le Le" which has no specific meaning but adds to the overall rhythm of the song. The lyrics are centered around a training and advice session between an older, wise mentor figure and a younger, curious one.
The mentor is singing to the younger one, telling them to work harder and harder, and not to give up. He uses vivid metaphors such as "If you must find the snake, dig a hundred holes, you might be lucky to find it in one." This metaphor is used to advise the younger one that they must work hard and be willing to endure many misses and mistakes before they can achieve their desired goal. The mentor also tells the younger one to be open-hearted and generous to others by sharing their blessings.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm singing a joyful song about my love, Tiguidi Le.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm expressing my happiness and love for Tiguidi Le through my music.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm spreading positive energy and good vibes through my music.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm celebrating the beauty of love and relationships through my music.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm sharing my happiness with my fans and encouraging them to feel the same.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm reminding myself and my fans to cherish love and hold it close.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm expressing gratitude for the love in my life and sharing that gratitude with others.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm spreading positivity and encouragement through my music.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm using my music to help others feel happy and loved.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm expressing love for someone and sharing that love with the world.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm using my talent to create a beautiful and joyful experience for my fans.
Yo le le ma Tiguidi Le
I'm spreading love and happiness through my music, and bringing people together in a positive way.
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrThugjuless
Ce qui me fait le plus plaisir c’est l’amour et l’estime sincères que Mbaye Dieye faye voue à Youssou Ndour.
@fatyniang4593
Sincérité bou rare si rewmi quasi inexistante
@mouhameddiouf2567
Wallah
@codoudiopbouserignebabacar4995
Tu as fait cette remarque
@codoudiopbouserignebabacar4995
Fo bayi birane guisnga nimouye kholer papadji
@nittoudeugrek9684
Walay dafko beug ndeysane
@thiecoulibaly3038
Vous êtes notre champion jusqu'à la mort. L'homme des deux temps.
@azzisow6548
No yokale béne c 3
@thiecoulibaly3038
@Azzi Sow je suis d'accord
@adjifatoumbaye7253
Vraiment MAGNIFIQUE. Le fond musical est à tomber..... Youssou MACHALAH est le plus talentueux , ecoutez l enchaînement , trop top🎶🎶😊😊