🌍 World Music — Senegalese

Senegalese music is particularly known for mbalax, developed from the 1970s onward by combining Wolof sabar rhythms, modern song, Afro-Cuban influences, funk, jazz and pop. Sabar refers both to a family of drums, rhythmic repertoires and dance events, while the tama is a variable-pitch armpit drum. Youssou N'Dour played a major role in the international spread of mbalax, but the country also has Fulani, Serer, Diola, Mandinka and Moorish traditions. Griots, or gewel, hold an important function among the Wolof and other societies, without uniformly representing all communities. Rap, afro-pop, reggae and Sufi religious music today complete one of the most dynamic scenes in West Africa.