Ismaël Lô

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Ismaël Lô is a Senegalese musician. He was born in Dongo Buti in Niger on 30 August 1956 to a Senegalese father and a Nigerien mother. Shortly after Lo's birth the family returned to Senegal where they settled in the town of Rufisque, near the capital Dakar. He is a versatile singer and artist, and besides his singing abilities, he also plays the guitar and the harmonica.

In the 1970s Lo studied at the School of Art in Dakar later joining the popular group Super Diamono, but leaving the group in 1984 to start a solo career. Over the next four years Lo recorded five popular solo albums.

In 1990 Lo signed a recording deal with Barclay and recorded in France his sixth solo album, Ismael Lo. Thanks to the success of the single "Tajabone" the album became a hit in the European charts. The album launched Lo’s international career.

Iso was recorded and released in 1994, and also became a success. The album contains soft guitar melodies and traditional Senegalese mbalax. The following year Lo toured in Africa. The compilation album Jammu Africa was released in 1996.

Lo's song "Tajabone" was featured in Pedro Almodovar's film All About My Mother.

In 2002 he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor.

[edit] Discography

Gor Sayina (1981)

[A] Yaye Boye Balalma / Gor Saay Na / Ale Lo/ Woudje Yaye -- [B] Tiedo / N'daxami / Sey / Adou Calpe

Xatat (1984)

[A] Xalat / Talibe / Lote Lo -- [B] Xamyl Dara / Mariama / Fa Diallo

Xiif (1986)

[A] Alal / Bode Gor / Xiif (Ethiopie Sahel) -- [B] Tiedo / Diouma / Marie Lo

Natt (1986)

[A] Ataya / Natt / Djola Kele -- [B] Samag La / Mougneul / Tadieu Bone

Diawar (1988)

[A] Jele Bi/ Sophia / Taar Dousey -- [B] Diawar / Jalia / Adou Calpe

Wadiour (1990)

[A] Wadiour / Diabar / Souleymane -- [B] Mbarawath / Nene / Tariha

Ismael Lo (1990)

Tajabone / Raciste / Ale Lo / Jiggeny Ndakaru / Fa Diallo / Souleymane / M'barawath / Nene

Iso (1994)

Dibi Dibi Rek / Nafantav / La Femme Sans Haine / Rero / Senegambie / Baol Baol / Naboou / Nassarane / Wassalia / Setsinala / Khar / Samayaye

Jammu Africa (compilation, 1996)

Jammu Africa / Nafantav / Sofia / Tajabone / Raciste / Nabou / Without Blame / Dibi Dibi Rek / Lotte Lo / Souleymane / Samba Et Leuk / Takou Deneu / Khar

Dabah (2001)

Aiwa / L'Amour A Tous Les Droits / Biguisse / Amoul Solo / Dabah / Boulfale / Faut Qu'on S'Aime / Africa Democratie / Diour Sani / Badara / Ma Dame / N'Dally / Xalas / Mam