Abdoulaye Lô, known by the nickname Laye, is Youssou Ndour’s regular drummer and an emblematic figure among the instrumentalists who make Super Étoile famous. With proverbial discretion, he agreed to speak in an interview given to The Observer this Friday, January 17, where he shares unpublished confidences about his career and his decisive meeting with Youssou Ndour after his departure from “Super Cayor”.
An early start in music
“I started to be interested in music at a very young age,” he confides. It even cost me my studies. With a friend, Médoune Thiam, we founded a musical group at Sicap Liberté 4. We progressed together for a while, until I joined the “Super Cayor”, a salsa group, where I evolved from 1994 to 2000.”
A chance meeting with Youssou Ndour
It was during this period that he met Youssou Ndour, almost accidentally. “During a show in Germany,” says Abdoulaye Lô, “we arrived and found Youssou Ndour and the members of Super Étoile seated in the refectory. After our sound check and our performance, I approached him to take souvenir photos. Later, I learned that he had been impressed by my way of playing the drums.
An opportunity in Bercy
In 2000, a major opportunity presented itself: “While Youssou Ndour was preparing for the “Grand Bal” at the Palais omnisports de Bercy, he invited me to participate in two pieces. I accepted enthusiastically. Once the concert was over, I returned to the “Super Cayor”.”
An unexpected exclusion
But his return to “Super Cayor” did not go as planned. “The members of the group did not accept that I take my place again,” he explains. My participation in the Bercy concert, although initially approved, was perceived as an act of disloyalty. I was excluded, despite the prior discussions we had had.”
Integration into Super Étoile
This difficult situation ultimately proved to be a turning point for his career. “When Youssou Ndour learned what had happened to me, he immediately asked me to join Super Étoile as a full member. Since then, I have been part of this legendary group, and it has been an extraordinary adventure.”
Thus, Abdoulaye Lô, with his talent and his humility, became a pillar of the Super Étoile, contributing to the worldwide brilliance of Youssou Ndour’s orchestra.
