Laba sosseh biography channel

When one is asked to write about the history of modern Senegalese music, one is generally expected to produce a piece about Mbalax, the most widely known Senegalese music genre, as its omnipresence and impact are important on the local music scene. But Senegalese music goes beyond Mbalax. It is multifaceted and has been subjected to various influences. It also has gone through several highs and lows through time. 

The influence of Cuban music

Modern Senegalese music really took off in the 1960s. As most of its African counterparts, Senegal was then a newly independent country. The music of that era was strongly influenced by Latin vibes. Indeed, Cuban musicians playing in New York’s night-clubs were adding brass and percussions to jazz and blues. It was the beginning of salsa. Senegal musicians were trying to emulate this new style. They sang mostly in Spanish and named their bands after American music and cities. Tropical Jazz, Guinea Jazz, Harlem Jazz, Star Band were among the local top bands. 

Around the same time, Ibra Kassé, a music promoter who relocated home after many years spent in France, opened ‘Le Miami’- a night-club that played a major role for music development in Senegal.  Artists like Laba Sosseh, Pape Seck, Rudy Gomis, Balla Sidibé, Barthélemy Attisso, Thione Seck, Pape Fall and Youssou N'Dour have all played with the resident night-club’s band, ‘Le Star Band’.  All the cited artists made an impact on the emergent Senegalese music. 

In the early 1970s, the president of Senegal, renowned poet Leopold Sédar Senghor, expressed the need to create a band that would reflect the local life and culture, and entertain the country’s official guests. Le Baobab was then created. The band included Barthélemy Attisso, Balla Sidibé, Rudy Gomis, Médoune Diallo and Issa Cissokho. Laye Mboup, a famous traditional singer and member of the well-known Daniel Sorano Theatre, joined the band in the 1980s. 

The local music