Alioune Mbaye Nder

Senegalese singer (born April 28th 1969)

Alioune Palla Mbaye dit « Nder » (born April 28th 1969, Tivaouane, Senegal) is a Senegalese singer. Nder takes his name from the n'der, the drum favoured by his griot father.

A dancer and percussionist in his youth, Nder began his singing career in 1991 with the group Lemzo Diamono, a break off group from the hugely popular Super Diamono. Lemzo Diamono also included well known Senegalese guitarist Lamine Faye. In 1993, Nder became Lemzo Diamono's lead vocalist and the band earned a large following over the next few years. In 1995, Nder left Lemzo Diamano to form his own band, the Setsima Group. Nder, whose music until very recently was mostly available only on cassette, is regarded in Senegal as a modern day griot and a super star of the new (Boul Falé) generation after Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal. He is known in Senegal as The Prince of Mbalax, and by some fans, The King of Mbalax. Mbalax is a genre of African popular music developed in Senegal and Gambia. Evolving from the traditional rhythms of the Wolof people, and absorbing a Cuban influence, and later western pop, funk, and reggae influences. It incorporates traditional percussion instruments and singing (in Wolof, French, and sometimes English), with modern electric instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, synthesizer, drum set, and also typically brass section. It was made popular by Senegalese pop star Youssou N'Dour. Two of Nder's heroes are Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.

Nder created le Setsima Group from young players who he could mold and grow alongside, and it has remained a tight formation with just a few personnel changes since then. Dakar's Le Temoin wrote, "The arrangements essentially done by the young musicians of le Setsima Group can easily compete with those traditionally realized by 'studio sharks.' What great art!"