Youssou N'Dour

African music in many ways is like metaphysical poetry: You've done well if you've read it and even better if you understand it. There are so many subsets to Africana that the term itself is washed out, but the immediacy of Youssou N'Dour's 2004 release, Egypt, brings an inspiring relevancy...

By Chris Coomey

October 27, 2005

We’re $300 away from our summer campaign goal,
with just 2 days left!

We’re ready to deliver—but we need the resources to do it right. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today to help us expand our current events coverage when it’s needed most.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$5,700

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

African music in many ways is like metaphysical poetry: You've done well if you've read it and even better if you understand it. There are so many subsets to Africana that the term itself is washed out, but the immediacy of Youssou N'Dour's 2004 release, Egypt, brings an inspiring relevancy to the mix. Egypt eschews the more celebratory sounds of the African juju and high-life genres for a strings-dominated cycle of want and desperation where classical elements of the West meet the urgency of N'Dour's Islamic blessings. Egypt is sung in Wolof, the widely spoken language of N'Dour's Senegal, making the vocals an element unto their own. Like the best poetry, hearing Egypt live will be a challenge, but the reward will be its sustenance. It will resonate long after the echoes fade.

Chris Coomey

A message from Music Editor Flor Franceschetti: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Miami's music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today