Nelson Mandela by Youssou N'Dour

An accomplished international business and legal advisor who serves as principal of Nexant, Rebecca Gaskin Gain is a passionate fan of African music. She particularly enjoys music from Senegal, the Congo, and the far territories of the Horn of Africa. One of Rebecca Gaskin Gain’s favorite Senegalese artists is Youssou N'Dour,

A native of Dakar, Senegal, Youssou N'Dour rose to popularity as a singer in the
mbalax tradition, which combines traditional Wolof music with popular genres from Cuba and other Latin American countries. He ultimately garnered international acclaim and worked with a number of Western pop musicians, including Peter Gabriel.

Youssou N'Dour’s first album remains among his most critically lauded. Titled Nelson Mandela, it first hit record stores in 1986. Reflecting N’Dour’s career-long dedication to political and social causes, the album honored South African leader Nelson Mandela while he was still in prison for his opposition to apartheid.

AllMusic declares that the majority of the songs on Nelson Mandela feature rhythms with “a nice groove to them” and points out “tight” arrangements that feature ample horn riffs and keyboard-produced flute loops. It also praises Youssou N'Dour’s powerful vocal performances throughout the work.