"Modern Griot"

In his article, “Strategic Inauthenticity”, Timothy Taylor analyzes globalization by writing about the singer Youssou N’Dour. Taylor describes N’Dour and his contribution to his native country, Senegal, as being a positive force of modernization. His music is neither religious or traditional yet it is “informed by a strong sense of right and wrong” coupled with “African popular musics” which have spread around the world (such as Afrobeat, reggae, soukous, and soul).Instead of taking the typical music-artist-from-Africa path of American style hip hop, N’Dour infuses “propriety” in his songs; a propriety “which exhort youths to behave respectfully toward their parents, caution the west to behave respectfully toward its former colonies, and ask tourists to treat his country well”. He also has provided a way for other aspiring African musicians to catch a break; his newly opened recording studio in Dakar called Xippi is keeping its “eyes open” (Xippi’s meaning in Wolof) for “local concerns” like “joblessness” for dreaming youths. It is refreshing to see a positive and socially responsible artist rise to the top and experience the success he deserves. Also, his music is incredible and he is one of my favorite artists. Check out his awesome song played live, Wake Up (Africa Calling):