Dakar, March 17 (APS) – The Head of State Macky Sall announced on Wednesday that he had decided to award, “posthumously, the distinction of Commander of the National Order of the Lion” to singer Thione Seck, “visionary lyricist and renowned composer “, who died last Sunday at the age of 66.
The President of the Republic, chairing the meeting of the Council of Ministers the same day, informed the members of the government of “his decision to award him, posthumously, the distinction of Commander of the National Order of the Lion”.
Macky Sall also “offered the condolences of the nation, the world of Culture, the family and loved ones of the late Thione Ballago Seck, brutally torn from our affection”.
“Thione Ballago Seck was one of the greatest musicians in the history of Senegal. Visionary lyricist and renowned composer, he has always developed a special musical style, making his works national and international references,” said the press release. Council of Ministers.
At 16, he joined a theater troupe, then the “Star Band” of legend Ibra Kassé, where he played with the famous Laye Mboup, before joining the Orchestra Baobab, in which he monetized his talent from 1973 to 1977.
The singer then launched a first group “Thione Seck and his ensemble”, composed of members of his family in the early 1980s, just before founding the “Raam Daan” in 1984, considered “a movement of spiritual awareness” in which he played with his little brother Mapenda Seck and Mountaga Kouyaté, an ex of Orchestra Baobab.
Thione Ballago Seck said he was definitely convinced that a song “serves to convey a message, a preaching, a warning and a social denunciation”.
Through the words of her songs, their full meaning and their deep connotations, Thione Seck educated, brought back to the daily life of shared values, considered fundamental, also questioned if necessary on the defects of Senegalese society.
His legend was precisely nourished by the richness of his texts, which speak, beyond the music lover, to most of his compatriots.
The one who has always been called a “griot of modern times” was also seen as “a committed humanist”, who has deeply marked Senegalese music for more than forty years.
His latest project entitled “ECOWAS in chorus”, in the development phase, was presented as a “unifying album” in which several artists from the West African sub-region were to participate.
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