Youssou N'Dour

N'Dour came to worldwide attention in the 1980s after being "discovered" by Peter Gabriel (he was already loved in France and a major star in his native Senegal) and impressing listeners with his high, soulful wails and incredible vocal technique. On his own recordings, he had invented a style of music known as mbalax -- a blend of African music with Caribbean and pop influences. N'Dour's music can surprise, with Cuban influenced horns working side by side with rhythmic guitars, a variety of sung trills, rhymes and scat interspersed between the sweetest melodies you've ever heard. Working with artists like Sting, Neneh Cherry, Branford Marsalis, Wyclef Jean and Gabriel helps N'Dour get his music to a wider audience, but it is his own recordings in which you can truly appreciate this astounding singer.