Étoile de Dakar
Encyclopedia
Étoile de Dakar were a leading music group of Senegal
in the 1970s.
The group was formed in 1979 by Youssou N'Dour
and members of the Star Band
one of Dakar
's best known nightclub house bands of the 1970s. Leading the group allowed N'Dour to launch his career as Senegal's first pop star, and after he relocated to Paris in 1983 and Étoile de Dakar broke up he continued calling his band Super Étoile de Dakar.
Playing the Latin-influenced dance music that was popular throughout Africa at the time Étoile de Dakar quickly became one of the city's most popular bands and went on to record in Paris
with producer Ibrahim Sylla
and had a track on the Island Records
compilation Sound d’Afrique which was important in bringing African music to western ears in 1981.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
in the 1970s.
The group was formed in 1979 by Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer, percussionist and occasional actor. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, in Senegal and much of Africa, "perhaps the most famous singer alive." He helped develop a style of popular music in Senegal, known in the Serer language as mbalax, a type of music...
and members of the Star Band
Star Band
Star Band is a music group from Senegal that were the resident band of Dakar's Miami Club.Formed to celebrate Senegal's independence in 1960 the band has been host to some influential musicians, Youssou N'Dour being the most notable, and gave birth to Etoile de Dakar...
one of Dakar
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
's best known nightclub house bands of the 1970s. Leading the group allowed N'Dour to launch his career as Senegal's first pop star, and after he relocated to Paris in 1983 and Étoile de Dakar broke up he continued calling his band Super Étoile de Dakar.
Playing the Latin-influenced dance music that was popular throughout Africa at the time Étoile de Dakar quickly became one of the city's most popular bands and went on to record in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
with producer Ibrahim Sylla
Ibrahim Sylla
Ibrahim Sylla is the grand Maestro of modern African Music. He is an internationally acclaimed musician whose production and music direction has defined popular African music. From West African dance, to Congolese Soukous , to melodic griot-led songs, Sylla's signature as a music producer is...
and had a track on the Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
compilation Sound d’Afrique which was important in bringing African music to western ears in 1981.