In Africa, there is much confusion.... Before, there was no radio, or other forms of communication.... Now, in Africa ... the government talks, people talk, the police talk, the people don't know anymore. They aren't free.

In the West, you have always associated the Islamic faith 100 percent with Arab culture. This in itself is a fundamentalist attitude and it is mistaken.

Music in Africa often contains messages. Music in Senegal, and Africa, is never music for music's sake or solely for entertainment. It's always a vehicle for social connections, discussions and ideas.

I want to use my music to deliver a political message and sometimes to denounce, but I don't want to be a politician.

Senegal needs a renaissance.

When the slaves left Africa, they left us this music. They left us blues.

Islam is a peaceful religion.