Youssou N’dour urges Africans to celebrate heritage ahead of 8th AFRIMA In Dakar

As the highly anticipated 8th edition of the All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) tagged ‘Teranga Edition’ scheduled to hold in Dakar, Senegal on 12-15 January 2023, draws nearer, Senegalese music legend Youssou N’dour has urged African stars to come together to collectively amplify the heritage of African music.

The 63-year-old music maestro while lauding AFRIMA for hosting the prestigious pan-African ceremony in his home country of Senegal, enjoined his counterparts in Africa and in the diaspora to come together to celebrate Africa at the 15-000 capacity Dakar Arena, in Dakar, Senegal.

AFRIMA, which is the pinnacle of recognition for African music globally, is an annual 4-day festival, broadcasted in over 84 countries across the world, with an even more expansive reach following its recent YouTube partnership.

The Senegalese singer and former Tourism Minister also expressed his delight in seeing indigenous music like the Mbalakh of the Senegalese being spotlighted globally on the AFRIMA platform.

READ ALSO: YouTube partners with 8th AFRIMA, reiterates support for African music, creative community

“All Africa Music Awards is the most prestigious ceremony dedicated to music and African artists and its diaspora. All the most beautiful aspects of Senegalese and African culture will be in the news for at least four days. I therefore invite all Senéglais musicians to come and celebrate African music together,” N’dour said.

Commenting on this, AFRIMA’s Executive Producer/President, Mike Dada, said that he is happy to see indigenous African music, such as the Mbalakh being celebrated globally, adding that it is a step in the right direction towards boosting Africa’s global image and creative economy.

Speaking on the development, the Head, Culture Division at the African Union Commission (AUC), Angela Martins said, “It is important that we spread our efforts to promote inclusivity and ensure that the world can see the impact of AFRIMA at the global centre stage. African music is ours and it is up to us to preserve our heritage and share our art with the world.”