You’ve been performing since you were about 12, what has motivated you to stay a musician for so long?
I started when I was very young, yes, but the people of my country, Senegal, all liked me from the beginning. They pushed me and gave me the encouragement to keep going, so I think my career really started there. The way people listened to my music and pushed me to try different things was a real motivation for me. That’s why now I want to try something more international. I have many different ideas I want to use in my music to make it as different as possible.

Speaking of international sounds, your international releases are very different from your albums for the people of Senegal. Why is that?
In Senegal, people like their music with a lot of percussion, and many instruments. I use many more different sounds locally than on the international albums because in the international arena I want people to understand my music, so I try to keep it simpler. But sometimes the music in Senegal will be the same as outside the country. It all depends on different songs. I have certainly released many more albums in Senegal than internationally.

Your albums are often quite different from each other in sound and feel, how do you keep your music fresh all the time? Do you have any particular inspirations or influences?
I use new things all the time. I work with a lot of different musicians around the world, so that constantly brings something different. For me, I believe I should always try to do new things to make my music more open to the public worldwide.

What was the response like to your last album, Egypt?
The album won a Grammy award, which was very important for me because Egypt was a personal album: it’s more political. Lots of people in the political world have different visions about Muslim communities and societies. I decided to make an album to show people what we are in my country, and Africa; we want to present this religion in a good way. There are many religious Muslims in Senegal, so I work to provide the world with songs that present a different view of the religion. Senegal was colonized by the French so that influence has changed the religion a little bit; the religion is different here. What we do with Islam in Senegal is different to what they do with Islam in Afghanistan or Pakistan. I want to show people that this is my religion, my religion is beautiful and peaceful, and you have to listen to the songs to understand what it is.

You chose not to tour the US in 2003 when they said they planned on invading Iraq. Why?
I like America a lot, it’s very important for me, and I love it. But when I cancelled the tour it was not against America – more like I didn’t agree with the government and their position about the war in Iraq. I didn’t want the tour because the timing was wrong; I wanted to show that I don’t agree with the politics of Bush’s administration to fight with Iraq. That’s why I don’t regret it, because it was the right thing for me to do. However, I did one tour last year, and perhaps I’ll do another this year.

What’s your view about the continuing situation in Iraq?
I think it’s crazy right now. Sometimes big countries like America want to get everywhere in the world, want to decide everything for everybody, and it isn’t right. I think the fighting in Iraq is about money and oil. I don’t agree with the war and now it’s too complicated and not easy to stop the war.

You are quite politically and socially active – tell us about that.
My music is good because I can be successful. I can tour and be successful internationally but it’s good to help your people and Africa. I have a big responsibility for my people. You must make a big effort to fight against malaria and poverty, and all the things that do not allow Africa to move forward. I think this is my responsibility and people look at me and say “Youssou, you should do something for Africa.” That’s normal and I expect I should do it.

What are your expectations for Africa?
I hope Africa will stop asking for money from big countries. I think Africans should be independent and have financial independence. I think it’s very important for Africa to stop fighting. It’s better now, but we still need to come together to become even better, and not rely on America, Europe or Asia. For Senegal, I hope that people want to be involved with politics and in the building of the country. I want the politicians to work with the people and get them involved in working to better the nation. Senegal is beautiful and hopefully one day, maybe very soon, it will be a very successful country.

Even though you’ve achieved international fame and you could live anywhere, you still choose to live in Dakar, why?
I have everything in Dakar – my family, my business, my studio, my radio station and my newspaper. I have more than 200 people working with me, maybe even more. I have invested in my country – everything I make I want to put back into my country, to push it to succeed. I love living in Africa because it’s a beautiful continent. I like New York and Paris, they are great to visit, but I want to live in my country with my people.

You are an inspiration to the people of Senegal, how does that make you feel?
When I create music its more than just sound – when I write songs people listen to lyrics. I want to make my songs useful for people, so I write songs to encourage people. To clean up the streets, their houses, their minds and their hearts. It’s very inspiring to know that my music is big in Senegal, because it’s not only the music; it’s the message they like too. I’m very lucky to have this position to sing and people want to use what I say to make things better. I’m very proud of that.

Do you sing about making things better because of your ‘griot’ (storyteller) background?
I think when you live in Africa you see many, many problems every day. You see big problems. So you write songs because it’s what you see. I want my songs to reflect reality, it’s not because I’m a griot, and it’s normal for me to talk about social issues.

You’ve collaborated with many international artists in the past. Any plans for future collaborations?
Yes, because I always sing with different people, and people ask me to sing with them all the time. A lot of big artists throughout my career have asked me to sing with them and I’m lucky to have met artists like Peter Gabriel and Neneh Cherry, because they also bring something to my music and me. They open a lot of opportunities for me – for people to hear my songs. I would welcome more collaborations with different artists and hopefully that will bring something new to the sound. Nowadays the music is always the same, I think we need to create different music with a blend of different cultures to make it more interesting.

What’s the best show you’ve ever played?
Oh-oh, that’s difficult. I remember once I played for five or six hours in a show in Paris. And I gave it a lot of energy – people wanted to sing and dance from 11pm to 6 am. It was hard, but it was a great show. For me, when I sing, no matter where it is, I always give everything for my music. Every weekend I play in Senegal, and I enjoy those shows, they are just beautiful.

What can we expect you to play here?
I’ll try to mix different styles of music, when I come to HK: some modern, some of what I play in Senegal. All different styles. There’ll be dancing and singing, guitars and percussion – it should be a good time, lots of fun!

Are you hoping to pick up any musical influences from the city?
Maybe when I come by I’ll listen to some local music, because I like anything that has percussion to add into my music. I don’t know very much Chinese music but you always have to look for connections between different styles of music. Maybe I’ll find something special to put into my music.

Your fans really love you; one walked 900km from Mali to Dakar to see you. Do you have many experiences like that?
Yes, yes I know people who love my music. Many different people. There are people who have been to my club every weekend for 20 years to hear my music. I think I am very lucky to meet so many different people from all over, who like what I do – it’s just beautiful.

So are you planning on retiring any time soon?
No, no, NEVER. Music is my life; I love playing music and I plan to keep on playing. I don’t think I will ever stop playing. Of course you never know, but I think I will play music until I die.

HK Arts Festival 2007: Youssou N’Dour with his Super Etoile de Dakar will perform on March 3 and 4 at 8pm at the Cultural Centre’s Concert Hall. Tickets are $160-$450 from URBTIX, 2734 9009.