SOUTH AFRICA: SENEGALESE SINGER ISMAEL LO TOURS SOUTH AFRICA TO PROMOTE HIS NEW ALBUM JAMMU AFRICA

Record ID: 545906

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: SENEGALESE SINGER ISMAEL LO TOURS SOUTH AFRICA TO PROMOTE HIS NEW ALBUM JAMMU AFRICA
  • Date: 1st July 1999
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISMAEL LO "Jammu Africa means peace in Senegal in Wolof and I pray for peace in Africa everywhere around the world. Without peace you can do nothing. Everybody, every people need peace. With peace we can do many many things in life." AUDIENCE CLAPPING ISMAEL LO PERFORMING AUDIENCE CLAPPING (SOUNDBITE) (English) VOX POP "He's an inspirational singer. He's a preacher, he's an educator, he's a history teller. He reminds us of where we came from and where we're going to." (SOUNDBITE) (English) VOX POP "Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. Wish I had known him before." (SOUNDBITE) (English) VOX POP "Unbelievable. It's a new natural thing for me. Being a white, this guy's got talent and I love it."
  • Embargoed: 16th July 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: JOHANNESBURG AND VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SOUTH AFRICA
  • Country: South Africa
  • Reuters ID: LVA81OZK6W0KO00G35CMBJ2VCVN5
  • Story Text: His sweet melodies melded with a bit of soul and funk have earned him the nickname "the Bob Dylan" of Senegal.Music writers often describe him as the quintessential musician - a one-man band who plays just about every instrument and with equal finesse.
    But for the man who grew up listening to the music of Jimmy Hendrix and Otis Redding, it's been a long hard road to the top of the music charts...
    Born Dongo Buti to a Nigerian mother and Senegalese Father, Lo - short of Coco Loco after one of his earlier bands - learned the art of improvisation from the very beginning.
    As a child growing up in the slums of Dakar he would make guitars out of jerry cans and fishing lines and drums from saucepan lids and boxes.He'd then hold concerts in his grandfather's garage.After completing his studies in France, Lo returned home to pursue his first love.
    The result - a string of unsuccessful albums and constant comparison with those other Senegalese sensations, Youssou N'Dour and Baba Maal.
    Twenty years later, when critics continue to compare him with his countrymen, Lo simply laughs it off: "It's a very good thing.For me I'm Youssou and Youssou is me.We come from the same country and we live in Dakar together.Youssou is a very big singer.To be compared with Youssou and me for me it's the same.Youssou is my big friend and big brother."
    Putting a label on his music is very easy.Lo calls it a fusion of various sounds: "My music is Mbala music.Mbala music is very recent music coming from Senegal and I lay acoustic songs.What I describe my music is Senegalese, African, International music".
    His first solo single - Tajabone - was a testament to his talents and abilities and shot him straight to the top of the charts.He quickly became a household name in Senegal's booming music industry, catapulting him back onto the European stage.He teamed up with various producers and record labels with hit after hit.
    His latest album is entitled Jammu Africa a title which he says explores his lifelong dream for the continent: "Jammu Africa means peace in Senegal in Wolof and I pray for peace in Africa everywhere around the world.Without peace you can do nothing.Everybody, every people needs peace.With peace we can do many many things in life."
    The enthusiastic response to Lo's plea for peace shows he has got the measure of the South African audience.
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