24 Heures

He passed away yesterday Sunday

Thione Ballago Seck was 66 years old, he leaves behind an orphan people, millions of fans of all generations.

As soon as the news of his death was announced, the Senegalese invaded his house to share the pain with Kiné Diouf

become his widow.

The songwriter of songs

or

appeared to the general public in 1975 with his favorite title Sey.

The staging of his life tells the story of the times and in its own way Senegal and its society.

Something in every Senegalese is gone forever.

Senegal is crying

WalfQuotidien

Usually so quick to serve up cheerful sounds, Thione Seck serves us, this time, such a sad note with the news of his disappearance which has made fans of his good music groggy.

This is because this talented musician known and recognized has been able to happily surf between generations by marvelously combining traditional and modern music. 

if there is one thing on which everyone agrees

Enquête

it is the quality of the texts of the songs of Thione Seck.

he said.

With Youssou Ndour, Omar Pène, Baaba Maal and Ismaila Lô, they formed the five majors of Senegalese song.

But

Enquête

Thione stood out thanks to his deep lyrics, with a vocabulary that was both sophisticated and accessible, hence his nickname:

For more than three decades, he has been delivering evocative works with rare consistency.

His verses follow one another like winks, offering a panoramic view of society.

Indeed, without concession, he tells us and often depicts us as we refuse to see ourselves.

Considered

as one of the greatest lyricists of Senegal

Thione Seck led a successful career, but

he remained in the shadow of Youssou Ndour, his eternal rival, first ambassador of Senegalese music internationally.

Thione Seck, with the Raam Daan, and Youssou Ndour, with the Super Étoile, were propelled to the forefront of the Senegalese music scene.

This decade marks the beginning of the golden age of mbalax and the rivalry between the two artists, although they both always refused to admit it.

But while Youssou Ndour's career is taking off internationally, that of Thione Seck remains largely confined to the Senegalese charts.

Thione Seck might well assure that he did not regret anything of his career, he still retained some resentment

Young Africa

His unexpected death also marks the halt to a sprawling production project that was to bring together more than a thousand ECOWAS singers.

Above all, he leaves the orphan mbalax.

And Senegal in mourning.