Last week’s Xeex Sibbiru (Fight Malaria) Song Contest final concert was astounding! It began with an incredibly skilled drumming troupe followed by dancers and traditional singers, and featured performances by Youssou Ndour, Viviane, Carlou D, Philipe Monteiro, other Senegalese artists, and of course the talented Xeex Sibbiru Song Contest finalists.
To my surprise, I arrived to find that producer Bouba Ndour had placed me on the panel of judges. (Thanks for the opportunity, Bouba.) It was a difficult contest to judge, given the various styles of the contestants, but Djibril Diop (pronounced Gibril Jobe) gave an exceptional performance (see video above) that secured his place as the winner. He has a uniquely powerful voice that literally left my ears ringing the first time I heard him sing acapella.
Congratulations Djibril! And thanks to all of the other finalists who sang their hearts out! Djibril Diop will become the Xeex Sibbiru campaign’s new representative in promoting malaria awareness throughout Senegal (and the world) via his own malaria song, a music video, and a performance alongside Youssou Ndour at the Bercy concert hall this Saturday in Paris!
Xeex on,
Adam
