The traditional form of mbalax originated from the sabar, a Wolof genre that historically fused musical and cultural practices from different ethnic groups such as the Njuup, a religious Serer music.
The popular dance form of mbalax developed in urban Senegal in the early 1970s..
Mbalax is a dance music style from Western Africa that melds traditional Senegalese vocals and percussion with jazz, soul, funk, and pop elements to create its distinct sound..
Sabar dancing.
The sabar is a dance form of the Wolof people living mainly in parts of Senegal and the Gambia.
The dancing is accompanied by drumming which is referred to with the same name..
Mbalax (or Mbalakh) is the national popular dance music of Senegal and The Gambia
It is a fusion of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal
View wikiSongs: One traditional West African element that mbalax has maintained and transformed is the griot
This storyteller collects and preserves West African culture and history, sharing improvised stories and songs with the community
Vocalists like Youssou N’Dour and Thione Seck took the place of the griot in mbalax
