"> Name: Senegalese singer boycotted, threatened by religious groups after album release

Date: 1995 - 2005

Location: Africa

Subject: Religious

Medium: Music

Artist: Youssou NDour

Confronting Bodies: General public, radio stations

Date of Action: 2004

Specific Location: Senegal

Description of Artwork: D'Nour's 2004 album "Egypt" explores the performer's Islamic faith. The album contains tracks with names such as Allah and Touba  Daru Salaam. Touba is the name of a holy city in Senegal.



Description of Incident: "Egypt" was accused by the media of insulting Islam by mixing religious ideas with popular music. False rumors spread that Mr. NDour had brought naked women to film videos at religious sites, film director Chai Vasarhelyi told the Wall Street Journal. Others objected to combining pop songs with religious themes.

Results of Incident: Cassettes of the album were returned to stores, and radio stations refused to play it. Consquently, it had very low sales compared to N'Dour's prior albums.

oussou NDour, confident that his work would win over listeners if it was given a fair hearing, played songs from the album all around the world, including Europe and the US. It eventually won a Grammy award, his first, and in the wake of this honour, many Senegalese decided to give the album another chance.

Source: http://www.freemuse.org/sw34109.asp

Submitted By: NCAC

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