Biography
Pape Diouf ranks among Senegal’s foremost vocalists and has played a central role in shaping the mbalax genre at home. His recordings deliver an animated, celebratory atmosphere built around subjects of affection, regard, and inclusion. He first gained notice as a member of the group Lemzo Diamono before embarking on a solo trajectory that accelerated in the mid-2000s with the arrival of Partir! and Jotna. That trajectory remained strong through the following decade, marked by continued studio work, live appearances, and an expanding schedule of concerts that took him repeatedly to Europe and North America.
Although he was raised in a guewel (griot) household where music formed part of daily life, Diouf initially planned to train as a plumber under his uncle’s guidance. In his early twenties he instead committed to a musical path and entered the Dakar-based mbalax band Lemzo Diamono in 1995. During the three years he spent with the ensemble they produced several popular tracks, yet he elected to pursue an independent career beginning in 1998.
His solo efforts developed slowly at first; the debut album Live au Biddew did not surface until 2003. The next year he began working with guitarist Jimi Mbaye of Youssou N’Dour’s band, an artist Diouf had long cited as a primary influence. Serving as producer, Mbaye oversaw the sessions for Partir!, which yielded a major hit in the title track, a mbalax version of Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partiro.” Subsequent years brought extensive international touring, the founding of Diouf’s own band La Génération Consciente, and the 2008 release of Jotna on N’Dour’s Prince Arts label. By the time Casse Casse appeared in 2012, Diouf was filling large halls both in Senegal and in Paris. Ràkkaaju followed in 2014 and earned broad praise, after which Diouf and his musicians increased their focus on worldwide audiences through further tours across Europe, North America, and West Africa. His sixth album, Enjoy, was issued in 2018.
Although he was raised in a guewel (griot) household where music formed part of daily life, Diouf initially planned to train as a plumber under his uncle’s guidance. In his early twenties he instead committed to a musical path and entered the Dakar-based mbalax band Lemzo Diamono in 1995. During the three years he spent with the ensemble they produced several popular tracks, yet he elected to pursue an independent career beginning in 1998.
His solo efforts developed slowly at first; the debut album Live au Biddew did not surface until 2003. The next year he began working with guitarist Jimi Mbaye of Youssou N’Dour’s band, an artist Diouf had long cited as a primary influence. Serving as producer, Mbaye oversaw the sessions for Partir!, which yielded a major hit in the title track, a mbalax version of Andrea Bocelli’s “Con Te Partiro.” Subsequent years brought extensive international touring, the founding of Diouf’s own band La Génération Consciente, and the 2008 release of Jotna on N’Dour’s Prince Arts label. By the time Casse Casse appeared in 2012, Diouf was filling large halls both in Senegal and in Paris. Ràkkaaju followed in 2014 and earned broad praise, after which Diouf and his musicians increased their focus on worldwide audiences through further tours across Europe, North America, and West Africa. His sixth album, Enjoy, was issued in 2018.
Albums
Singles
